A Grammar of German Sign Language (DGS)

The size and shape of an object is conveyed by using a Size-and-Shape-Specifier (SASS). Typically, two types of SASS are distinguished: static SASS and tracing SASS. Static SASSes refer to a class of objects by using a handshape that depicts a particular shape of the referred object. However, with tracing SASSes, the shape of the object is outlined therefore they always include a movement component. Below there are two examples of SASS in DGS: a static SASS (a) and a tracing SASS (b).

 

a.         paper sass_thin/angular                          

            ‘Paperboard’

                                                     

                                           (based on Happ & Vorköper, 2006: 155)

 

 

 

 

b.         car sass_curved       

            ‘Car tyre’

 

 

 

In contrast to predicate classifiers, SASS do not combine with verbs, instead, they occur with nouns or noun phrases they modify. Their function is similar to those of adjectives [see Lexicon 3.4 and Syntax 4.5]. In DGS, tracing SASSes always follow the nominal element as it was the case in the example above.

 

Different types of lexically specified handshapes are used for expressing size, shape, pattern and design of objects in DGS. Two-dimensional objects like a picture frame or a poster and the geometric shape of objects are signed with an B-handshape like in the following example.

 

paper sass_flat/square                               

‘A sheet of paper’       
                        

(based on Happ & Vorköper, 2006: 154)

 

 

 

Long and thin objects and stripe patterns are described using J-handshape as exemplified below. 

 

dominant hand:             sass_big/curved

non-dominant hand:     blue sass_striped       
 ‘A blue striped vase’               

 

(based on Happ & Vorköper, 2006: 155)

 

 

 

 

The depth of an object, is illustrated with a bent thumb and index finger L-handshapeas in the following example.

 

water sass_round/high                             

‘A glass of water’        

                                                           (based on Happ & Vorköper, 2006: 154)         

 

  

 

 

In DGS, properties specified by SASS can also appear on predicate classifiers as in the following example.

 

father_3a daughter_3b money sass_small/round cl(O)_: ‘_3agive_3b’          

‘Father gives/gave his daughter a coin.’

                                                                                   (based on Glück, 2005: 187)