A Grammar of German Sign Language (DGS)

Actions by the lower face can be subdivided into the following eight sub-components: nose action, cheek action, mouth aperture, lip or corner of the mouth action, tongue action, chin action, air action, and neck action.

One clear example is the sign recent which has a slight tongue show as obligatory part. Variations between a central or a lateral tongue show seem to be a matter of phonetic variation.

recent(1) – recent(2) 

 

 

Below further examples of signs with an obligatory mouth gesture are shown.

a. relief 

                          

 

b. life-partner             

  

 

c. kiss    

                          

 

d. spit       

                     

 

e. possess      

                  

 

f. thin       

                    

 

g. no-desire    

               

 

The signs always – lead form a minimal pair for the component lower face. Whereas the sign always is articulated with puffed cheek with air output as an inherent part, the sign lead includes no non-manuals. Both two-handed signs are specified for the O-handshape, palm orientation away from the body and a straight movement in the neutral signing space.

always – lead