Plain verbs in signed languages

[Dan I. Slobin]

By defnition, a "plain verb" is one that cannot move in space, and so 
it cannot mark agreement and spatial locations in itself.  But in 
many sign languages (including Sign Language of the Netherlands, 
Taiwanese Sign Language, and others), there are "auxiliary" verbs 
that accompany a "plain" verb.  Such accompanying verbs do move in 
space to indicate relations such as source-goal, agent-patient, and so forth.

Dan Slobin

At 08:10 PM 1/5/2008, you wrote:
>Dear all,
>
>I am a research student who works on Hong Kong Sign Language. My 
>focus of study is verbs. I would like to confirm if plain verbs are 
>generally unmarked for verb agreement and spatial locations.
>
>I can post a summary.
>
>Thanks a lot.
>
>Scholastica
>scholalam at yahoo.com.hk
>The Chinese University of Hong Kong
>
>Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
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Dan I. Slobin, Professor of the Graduate School
Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Linguistics

Department of Psychology        email: slobin at berkeley.edu
3210 Tolman #1650                 phone (Dept):  1-510-642-5292
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