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Researching linguistic features of text genres in a DGS corpus: The case of finger loci

Researching linguistic features of text genres in a DGS corpus: The case of finger loci. Martje Hansen – Jens Hessmann University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal (Germany) Workshop ‘Sign Language Corpora: Linguistic Issues’ London 24–25 July, 2009. The Project. Objectives:

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Researching linguistic features of text genres in a DGS corpus: The case of finger loci

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  1. Researching linguistic features of text genres in a DGS corpus: The case of finger loci Martje Hansen – Jens Hessmann University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal (Germany) Workshop ‘Sign Language Corpora: Linguistic Issues’ London 24–25 July, 2009

  2. The Project • Objectives: • Digital library of DGS texts • Classification of text genres • Team • Timetable • Funding

  3. Case Study: Overview • Starting point and hypotheses • Presentation of our data • Provisional classification of the data • Finger loci: forms and functions • Distribution of finger loci in DGS-texts 5a. Distribution of semantic features 5b. Distribution of forms 6. Pronominal and textual functions • ‚Incomplete‘ use • Remarks and Conclusions

  4. Finger loci : 1. Starting point and hypotheses Starting point: DGS-texts on the web-site of the German Ministry for Labour and Social Policies Translated into DGS and performed by German Deaf people (Gebärdenwerk) Characteristics: High information density and complex text structure • Extensive use of finger loci • Articulation of signs at finger loci (“list buoys”, cf. Liddell 2003) • Reference-tracking by finger loci across long stretches of texts • Highly complex interplay of spatial and finger loci.

  5. Finger loci : 1. Starting point and hypotheses • Hypotheses: • Informative, planned texts show more use of finger loci than private, unplanned texts. • The use of finger loci in planned text is extended to textual functions.

  6. 2. Finger loci : Presentation of the data • Data: Corpus fragment of approximately 7 h 30 • Tentative classification according to • theme • situation • communicative function

  7. 3. Provisional classification of the data Three groups • Information programmes (tv format ‘Vibelle’: Vib) 2 h 15 • Narrative interviews (GEHÖRLOS SO! : GLSO)  2 h 33 • Private conversations (‘Berlin Project’ : BP)  2 h 39

  8. 4. Finger loci : forms and functions Different forms: • Without indexing - RH: I CAN CAN CAN LH: ONE TWO THREE • Partial indexing of finger loci  referential status of the particular item • Full indexing of finger loci on the weak hand as points of reference • Textual functions: Based on the referential function, additional use of finger loci to indicate  text cohesion  text structure

  9. 5. Fingerloci : Distribution inDGS-texts • Vibelle: 44 (time: 2 h 15 min) • GLSO : 28 (time: 2 h 33 min) • Berlin Project: 17 (time: 2 h 39 min)

  10. 5a. Finger loci : Distribution of semantic features

  11. 5a. Fingerloci: semantic features Abstract referents: here: Consequences of Gobalization = cuisines, equality of women and men - languages, how to sell, activities, unspecified items, economy, culture, questions…

  12. 5a. Fingerloci: semantic features Concrete referents: here: doing upholstering, ground floors, walls, curtains; - light bells, heating, flat

  13. 5a. Fingerloci: semantic features Human referents: here: two men who indicated deaf children to the nazis: 1. Direktor (?) Müller, 2. Herr Gruber - relatives, children, friends, policemen, combat groups, unemployed people,

  14. 5b. Fingerloci: distribution of forms

  15. 5b. Fingerloci: distribution of formsIndexing of all finger loci Referents: 1. Leisure time activities 2. Building repairs

  16. 5b. Fingerloci: distribution of formsNo indexing of finger loci Referents: Different precious possessions

  17. 5b. Fingerloci: distribution of formsMixed indexing of finger loci Referents: 1 and 2.: Two new languages, 3 : English

  18. 6. Fingerloci: Pronominal function Referents: 5 friends, two of them female, four without driving licence

  19. 6. Fingerloci: Pronominal function and textual structuring Presenter asks his collegue two questions: 1. consequences of globalization for work in general and 2. for single workers

  20. 7. Finger loci : ‘Incomplete’ use Problems due to the „on-line“ processing: 1. Two-item listing is articulated using a finger locus only for the first or only for the second item 2. Listing starts with one or two finger-loci, further elaboration without finger loci

  21. 7. ‘Incomplete’ use of finger lociListing starts with one or two finger-loci, further elaboration without finger loci: Presenter names the areas influenced by globalizations: 1 = economy, 2 = politics, (3) culture, (4) social issues

  22. 7. ‘Incomplete’ use of finger lociThree item-listing, using the ‚wrong‘ finger locus: Example: Presenter names activities of Greenpeace 1. against whaling, 2. overfishing, 3. pollution by chemicals

  23. 8. Remarks and Conclusions a. Individual preferences for finger loci in all text types e.g. GLSO: 1st film/signer: 49 min with 2 occurrences 2nd film/signer: 68 min with 20 occurrences 3rd film/signer: 42 min with 6 occurrences b. Specialized texts do not show an even distribution of finger loci: long sequences (e.g. about economy and labour market) without finger loci

  24. 8. Remarks and Conclusions c. sometimes, the use of finger loci may resemble (ordinal) numbers, but fulfills wider functions Example: Presenter introduces second topic, concerning NGOs

  25. 8. Remarks and Conclusions General concept: Referential structures Next steps: • Determination of the relationship between finger and spatial loci in texts:  Total number of referents and relationship between spatial and finger loci for these referents  Hierarchies between referents and respective loci (internal text levels)

  26. 8. Remarks and Conclusions Next steps: 2. Related phenomena:  Determination of referents without any locus along different text types  Distribution and referential use of classifiers in different text types

  27. 8. Remarks and Conclusions Research objectives: • Understanding reference in (German) sign language(s) • Understanding variation in the use of referential structures in different registers and text genres.

  28. References • Biber, Douglas (1995). Dimensions of register variation: a cross-linguistic comparison. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. • Biber, Douglas/Connor, Ulla/Upton, Thomas A. (2007). Discourse on the move. Using corpus analysis to describe discourse structure. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins B.V. • Liddell, Scott K. (2003). Grammar, Gesture, and Meaning in ASL. Cambridge: University Press.

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