Iconicity in Expressing Emotion in Sign Languages

This thesis presents a cross-linguistic analysis of expressing emotions in sign languages. Four claims about iconicity in sign languages are tested, which were merely based on American Sign Language. These claims are tested cross-linguistically for four different sign languages, namely the unrelated sign languages of Guinea-Bissau (LGG), the Netherlands (NGT), Mexico (LSMY) and Hong Kong (HKSL). The data indicates that the torso is preferred as the articulation place for expressing emotion in NGT and HKSL, which also predominantly express the basic emotions at the torso. Most of the signs of LGG are expressed at the head (also the basic emotions) and surprisingly LSMY only expresses emotion at the head. For the second parameter, motion, the data supports the claim that a movement towards the interlocutor indicates the communication of the speaker’s emotional state towards the interlocutor. The third parameter handshape indicates different levels of positivity or negativity in...Show moreThis thesis presents a cross-linguistic analysis of expressing emotions in sign languages. Four claims about iconicity in sign languages are tested, which were merely based on American Sign Language. These claims are tested cross-linguistically for four different sign languages, namely the unrelated sign languages of Guinea-Bissau (LGG), the Netherlands (NGT), Mexico (LSMY) and Hong Kong (HKSL). The data indicates that the torso is preferred as the articulation place for expressing emotion in NGT and HKSL, which also predominantly express the basic emotions at the torso. Most of the signs of LGG are expressed at the head (also the basic emotions) and surprisingly LSMY only expresses emotion at the head. For the second parameter, motion, the data supports the claim that a movement towards the interlocutor indicates the communication of the speaker’s emotional state towards the interlocutor. The third parameter handshape indicates different levels of positivity or negativity in expressing emotion. However, the dictionaries of the four sign languages differ in quality and quantity and more research and data is needed.Show less

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Iconicity in Expressing Emotion in Sign Languages