Phonemic status of the O handshape in Japanese Sign Language
Temas
Detalles
This study investigates the phonemic status and unmarkedness of the O handshape inJapanese Sign Language ( JSL). It analyzes the occurrence and distribution of the pho-netic [O] handshape in comparison with handshapes that are phonetically similar tothe O handshape. These include the fist handshape and handshapes where the baseand/or non-base joints of the thumb and all four fingers are curved or bent to form aring. The results challenge the conventional view that the O handshape functions asa full-fledged phoneme and an unmarked handshape in JSL. Our data reveal that thephonemic /O/ handshape is absent from the nondominant hand when both hands areinvolved with different handshapes (in so-called type 3). Additionally, a number of the[O] handshapes and those phonetically similar to the [O] handshape across other con-texts can be regarded as realizations of the phonemic handshape /S/ in JSL. These find-ings challenge traditional perspectives on the unmarkedness of the /O/ handshape bydemonstrating its structural complexity and infrequent occurrence, suggesting that itmay not meet the criteria for unmarked status within JSL. These insights call for a re-evaluation of markedness principles in sign language phonology. They also encouragefurther research to determine if similar patterns exist in other sign languages and theirimplications for phonological theory.