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<DIV><SPAN class=030235516-24072002><FONT color=#0000ff size=4><FONT
color=#000000>I'd like to announce the completion of my dissertation on sign
language phonology: <EM>Signs are single segments: <SPAN
style="TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN>phonological representations and
temporal sequencing in ASL and other sign languages<SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></FONT>
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=030235516-24072002><FONT color=#0000ff size=4><FONT
color=#000000>It is available for download at</FONT> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff><A
href="http://www.ling.umd.edu/Publications/Dissertations/index.html"><FONT
face=Arial
size=2>http://www.ling.umd.edu/Publications/Dissertations/index.html</FONT></A><SPAN
class=030235516-24072002><FONT face=Arial
size=2> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN class=030235516-24072002><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT
color=#000000><SPAN class=030235516-24072002><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN class=030235516-24072002><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
color=#000000>Abstract: A single segment representation with dynamic features
(Oneseg) explains differences between the phonologies of spoken words and signs
better than current multiple segment representations of signs (Multiseg). A
segment is defined as the largest phonological unit where combinations of
features are contrastive, but permutations and repetitions are not. <SPAN
style="mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt">Hayes (1993) distinguishes between static
features (place, handshape) which don't reference motion, and dynamic features
(direction, repetition) which do. Dynamic features are the </SPAN>only way that
a single segment representation can sequence motion.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN
class=030235516-24072002><FONT color=#000000>Chapters 1 and 2 provide an
overview and the theoretical background for relevant concepts such as sequence,
segment and dynamic feature.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT color=#000000>Chapters
3 and 4 provide arguments for Oneseg based on repetition and sequence.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Oneseg correctly predicts that number of
repetitions is not contrastive in signs, because repetition is the result of a
dynamic feature [repeat]. Multiseg incorrectly predicts that number of
repetitions should be contrastive. About 50% of all spoken words repeat
irregularly (<I>u<B>n</B>i<B>n</B>te<B>n</B>ded,
<B>h</B>i<B>ph</B>o<B>p</B></I>); less than 1% repeat rhythmically (<I>tutu</I>,
<I>murmur)</I>. <SPAN class=030235516-24072002>In contrast,
n</SPAN>on-compound signs never repeat irregularly; about 50% repeat
rhythmically. Oneseg correctly predicts repetition in signs <SPAN
class=030235516-24072002>(but not words) </SPAN>based on the probability of
combinations including the feature [repeat]; Multiseg correctly predicts
repetition in words<SPAN class=030235516-24072002> (but not
signs)</SPAN> based on combinations, permutations and repetition of
segments. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT color=#000000>Oneseg
correctly predicts that signs never have more than two underlying places.
Multiseg predicts signs with any number of places. Some signs with two places
allow places to occur in either order; some are ordered by constraints. Oneseg
represents both without underlying sequence or redundancy, but Multiseg’s
obligatory segmental sequence overgenerates or is
redundant.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT color=#000000>Chapter
5 shows that inflected verbs and classifier predicates aren’t problems for
Oneseg because they are predictably iconic. Predictable iconicity is the same
across all sign languages, is produced by non-signers, and doesn’t always obey
the phonological rules of the language. Lexically iconic elements have the
reverse characteristics. Lexically iconic, but not predictably iconic, elements
are part of the phonological representation.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT color=#000000>Chapter
6 proposes possible additional features and hierarchy for Oneseg and shows that
the representations produced can be economically sparse by omitting redundant
material. <FONT size=4><SPAN class=030235516-24072002><FONT
color=#0000ff> </FONT><FONT color=#000000>Oneseg also
explains </FONT></SPAN>historical assimilation processes in
compounds.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN
class=030235516-24072002></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN
class=030235516-24072002><FONT color=#000000>Rachel
Channon</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN
class=030235516-24072002><FONT color=#000000>Linguistics
Department</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><SPAN
class=030235516-24072002><FONT color=#000000>University of Maryland at College
Park</FONT> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>