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Clausal Structure and a Tier for Grammatical Marking in American Sign Language

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 December 2008

Debra Aarons ,
Benjamin Bahan ,
Judy Kegl  and
Carol Neidle
Debra Aarons
Affiliation:
Debra Aarons, Benjamin Bahan, and Carol Neidle, Program in Applied Linguistics, Boston University, 718 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, aarons@louisxiv.bu.edu, bahan@louis-xiv.bu.edu, carol@louis-xiv.bu.edu
Benjamin Bahan
Affiliation:
Debra Aarons, Benjamin Bahan, and Carol Neidle, Program in Applied Linguistics, Boston University, 718 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, aarons@louisxiv.bu.edu, bahan@louis-xiv.bu.edu, carol@louis-xiv.bu.edu
Judy Kegl
Affiliation:
Judy Kegl, Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, 197 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102, judy_kegl@axon.rutgers.edu
Carol Neidle
Affiliation:
Judy Kegl, Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, 197 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102, judy_kegl@axon.rutgers.edu
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Abstract

Grammatical information in ASL can systematically be marked on the face. Such nonmanual marking extends over the c-command domain of the trigger, and therefore provides information about the hierarchical organization of the language. Consistent with evidence available from the distribution of non-manual markings—as illustrated with respect to wh-marking and negation—a basic clausal structure for ASL is proposed. Furthermore, we suggest, contrary to generally accepted claims about ASL, that both Tense and Agreement are structurally present in all ASL main clauses. This analysis allows for a uniform account of the licensing of null subjects in ASL. Evidence in favor of this analysis, and against a dual licensing mechanism (as proposed in Kegl, 1985, and Lillo-Martin, 1986, 1991b), is presented.

Type
Research Article
Information
Nordic Journal of Linguistics , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , December 1992 , pp. 103 - 142
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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