Classifier constructions as procedural signs in American Sign Language

<p>In this thesis I will be analyzing what has typically, in sign language literature, been termed classifiers and classifier constructions. I will be approaching them from the pragmatic perspective by applying Relevance Theory to explain their usage as representations that manipulate and modify their referents. The data comes from texts signed by native users of American Sign Language and are from academic lectures, interviews, narrative, and course curriculum. I have found that Relevance Theory adequately describes why and when classifiers constructions are used and that they function as a procedural referring expression.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Linguistics

Year

2013

Author dc:creator

• Jones Ii, Stephen Perry

Contributors dc:contributor

• Regina Blass

• ad hoc concepts
• American Sign Language
• Classifier Constructions
• Procedural
• Referring Expression
• Relevance Theory
• Linguistics
• Sign Languages

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.und.edu/theses/1443

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.und.edu:theses-2444