2.2.3. Intonational phrase
The intonational phrase is a domain in DGS that is systematically marked by rhythmic breaks such as pauses, holds, lowering of the hands, lengthening and in many cases discourse structuring gestures such as the palm-up gesture. The modulation of movement also includes the tension of signing and the involvement of non-dominant hand spreading and hand switching [Phonology 2.2.4.]. Non-manual domain markers such as facial expressions, head and body movements that spread over the intonational phrases in DGS do change and/or stop at intonational phrase boundaries. In DGS, we find the layering of those markers including eye brow movements, eye aperture, and mouth patterns. Punctual non-manual boundary markers such as head nods and eye blinks also accumulate at intonational phrase boundaries. Over half of the prosodic eye blinks appear at intonational phrases in DGS.
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant Agreement No 693349.