Prosody and movement in American sign language: A task-dynamics approach

Martha E. Tyrone, Hosung Nam, Elliot Saltzman, Gaurav Mathur, Louis Goldstein

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study examines prosody in American Sign Language using the theoretical framework of articulatory phonology, which proposes that the basic units of speech are articulatory gestures. We hypothesize that articulatory gestures are also the structural primitives of sign, and we are investigating what the gestures are and how they are timed. Kinematic data are collected as ASL users produce target signs with movements toward or away from the body, in phrase-initial, medial, or final position. Preliminary data suggest that signs are lengthened at phrase boundaries in a manner consistent with the predictions of a task-dynamic model of prosodically induced slowing.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication5th International Conference on Speech Prosody 2010
PublisherInternational Speech Communications Association
ISBN (Electronic)9780000000002
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes
Event5th International Conference on Speech Prosody: Every Language, Every Style, SP 2010 - Chicago, United States
Duration: 2010 May 102010 May 14

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Conference on Speech Prosody
ISSN (Print)2333-2042

Conference

Conference5th International Conference on Speech Prosody: Every Language, Every Style, SP 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago
Period10/5/1010/5/14

Keywords

  • ASL
  • Articulatory phonology
  • Signed language
  • Task dynamics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Language and Linguistics
  • Linguistics and Language

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