The acquisition of classifier predicates in American Sign Language
Temas
Detalles
This project is a comparative investigation of the acquisition of predicate forms that comprise the heart of productive predicate morphology in ASL. These predicates can be organized into three distinct groups, CLASSes, SASSes or size-and-shape-specifiers, and HANDLEs. Basically, these classifier predicates are differentiated by (1) their handshape, (2) the meaning of path movement, and (3) the use of space. In HANDLE forms, the resulting form is an agentive transitive predicate. SASS predicates, in their most common form, are predicate adjectives. CLASS forms are intransitive verbs of motion and location. Each of these predicates has its own set of morphological rules and constraints.^ Previous researchers have looked at CLASSes, as termed in this model, and have found that they are mastered at a relatively late age. This prolonged developmental timetable has been attributed to their overall morphological complexity. However, most investigations have considered handshape production as evidence of acquisition.