Iconic enrichments: Signs vs. gestures

Behav Brain Sci. 2017 Jan:40:e71. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X15003064.

Abstract

Semantic work on sign language iconicity suggests, as do Goldin-Meadow & Brentari (G-M&B) in their target article, that "sign should be compared with speech-plus-gesture, not speech alone" (sect. 7.1). One key question is whether speech-plus-gesture and sign-with-iconicity really display the same expressive resources. This need not be the case, because gestural enrichments are typically not at-issue, whereas iconic enrichments in sign language can often be at-issue. Future research should thus focus on the "projection" properties of different sorts of iconic enrichment in both modalities.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Comprehension
  • Gestures*
  • Humans
  • Language
  • Sign Language*
  • Speech