A Grammar of German Sign Language (DGS)

In addition to lower face action, the three components upper face action, torso action, and head action function as inherent parts of signs in DGS. These components operate either jointly or separately at the phonological level. Upper face actions can be further split up into the following three sub-components: eyebrow action, eye aperture, and eye gaze.

DGS seems to imply a channel-specific pattern of lexicalization. Some lexical signs for affective concepts are articulated with a corresponding facial expression, head action, and/or torso action. Two examples are the signs sad and anger:

a. sad            

b. anger     

                   

Examples for lexical non-manuals which are not related to affective states are the signs wink, sleep, and protection. The sign wink is articulated with a lexical facial expression in the upper face in the form of winking. The sign sleep is performed with a head tilt to the side of the articulating hand and an eye closure. The sign protection is specified for the component torso action (body backward action vs. body forward action).

a. wink

               

b. sleep  

             

c. protection     

One example of a non-manual minimal pair are the signs proud – arrogant. Whereas the sign arrogant is articulated with a facial expression and a head up action, the sign proud includes a head up action and a mouthing.

One example of a non-manual minimal pair are the signs tired – effort. Whereas the sign tired is articulated with an upper face action and a head action, the sign effort includes additionally a lower face action.

tired – effort