LSA.142 | Introduction to the Phonetics and Phonology of Sign Languages

Gaurav Mathur and Christian Rathmann
TR 1:00-2:40
location: 32-144

This course provides an introduction to the phonetics and phonology of signed languages with an eye toward the following issues. First, what are the smallest phonological units in a signed language? The answer is not obvious, since the gradient nature of some phonological properties makes it difficult to identify distinct categories. Second, to what extent are phonotactic, phonological and phonetic constraints based on the articulators unique to signed languages, and to what extent are they due to the use of multiple articulators (e.g. the additional use of the nondominant hand and the face)? Finally, we review instrumental studies that clarify the phonetic form of a sign during coarticulation and during fast signing. In the end, the student will be able to evaluate and compare phonetic and phonological analyses of sign languages with those of spoken languages.

Prerequisites: General knowledge of linguistics. No background in sign languages, including ASL, is necessary.