LIN-662 Survey of American Sign Language Phonology

Course Overview

This course has four parts. Part one covers basic phonetic notation and includes practice in the phonetic description of lexical signs of American Sign Language (ASL). This will include an examination of hand configurations, placements, orientations, nonmanual signals, and two-hand relationships. Part two deals with phonological processes, including movement epenthesis, hold deletion, metathesis, assimilation, location neutralization, and weak hand deletion. Part three examines phonotactic patterns within the lexicon of ASL, focusing on permissible combinations of phonetic elements. Part four considers the nature of phonological change and historical shifts in the structure of the lexicon.