3.1.4.2. Gapping
Gapping describes the deletion of a conjunct’s verb if the verb is identical to the verb of the other conjunct. Forward gapping refers to the deletion of the verb in the second conjunct whereas backward gapping involves the deletion of the first conjunct’s verb. As can been seen in the examples below, forward gapping (a) and backward gapping (b) are both possible in DGS.
a. grandmother tea like, grandfather coffee like
‘The grandmother likes tea and the grandfather likes coffee.’
b. grandmother tea like, grandfather coffee like
‘The grandmother likes tea and the grandfather likes coffee.’
Furthermore, gapping in DGS is sensitive to verb class. Gapping is only possible with plain verbs [Lexicon 3.2.1], other verb types cannot be omitted.
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