External phonological change

[Dan Parvaz]

> More than once during conversations in Athens, Greece, I was informed
> about a GSL negation marker that is now almost extinct. It involves of
> the thumb of the dominant hand being inserted and then strongly drawn
> away from under the upper front teeth. The Deaf people I was discussing
> the matter said that it is a strong and clearcut sign that
> unfortunately cannot be used by young Deaf anymore because of behaviour
> codes today.

According to Morris et al., the tooth-flick gesture is commonly used to
mean "nothing" (in the Levant it's used to mean "broke") or as a hostile
gesture. In Greece, the hostile meaning appears to be dominant. Is that
your impression?

Cheers,

Dan.