Adverbial Morphemes in Tactile ASL - Gallaudet University

PDE – Steven D. Collins
Findings and Interpretations
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4.1.1.2. Example Two (Manner/Degree)
Gloss from Transcription:
HEY/ WITH (emph) // COME WITH KEYBOARD YES+++ OVER 6-
THOUSAND 5-HUNDRED YES++ MEAN ALONE++++++
[WELL]//BRAILLE ALONE+++++ 3-THOUSAND 7-HUNDRED //
English Translation:
When the Braille device comes with a keyboard the cost is $6,500. If it is only
the Braille device, it costs $3,700.
Visual ASL:
The signer uses a non-tactile production of the sign WITH with a facial
expression in which the eyebrows are raised with a widening of the eyes.
Tactile ASL:
In the production of the sign WITH, the Deaf-Blind individual prolongs the
final hold segment with a tense feeling in the hands.
Analysis of Variation:
In the visual ASL production of the sign, the use of a non-tactile facial
expression is sufficient to communicate the adverb. The sign for WITH does
not need to be prolonged in a hold of the segment. In the Tactile ASL
production of the sign, a Deaf-Blind individual is not able to observe the nontactile
portion of the sign and substitutes the prolonged hold segment with a
tensing of the hands to convey the same information.
Comments:
In this example, the adverb WITH is in the category of Manner/Degree in that
its use is in the context of differentiating the Braille device with the other
keyboard or without the other keyboard.
47