Constraints on Negative Prefixation in Polish Sign Language

PLoS One. 2015 Nov 30;10(11):e0143574. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143574. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

The aim of this article is to describe a negative prefix, NEG-, in Polish Sign Language (PJM) which appears to be indigenous to the language. This is of interest given the relative rarity of prefixes in sign languages. Prefixed PJM signs were analyzed on the basis of both a corpus of texts signed by 15 deaf PJM users who are either native or near-native signers, and material including a specified range of prefixed signs as demonstrated by native signers in dictionary form (i.e. signs produced in isolation, not as part of phrases or sentences). In order to define the morphological rules behind prefixation on both the phonological and morphological levels, native PJM users were consulted for their expertise. The research results can enrich models for describing processes of grammaticalization in the context of the visual-gestural modality that forms the basis for sign language structure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linguistics
  • Male
  • Poland
  • Sign Language*

Grants and funding

The author's work was supported by the Principal Research Fund of the Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw (BST 171223/2014, BST 174419/2015). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.