A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS)

Coalescence is a phonological process that merges two phonological segments into a single one. This typically occurs in spontaneous signing when a symmetrical two-handed sign merges with a pointing sign.

            For instance, let us consider the sign classroom. In its citation form, it is a symmetrical two-handed sign (PHONOLOGY 1.4.1) because the dominant and non-dominant hands share the same handshape (extended unspread 5) and secondary movement (flattening).

            classroom

In spontaneous discourse, the sign classroom can merge with a locative pointing sign, ix(loc), thus producing an instance of coalescence. The sentence below exemplifies this phenomenon.

            classroom^ix(loc) student male three

            ‘In this classroom, there are three male students.’

Taking a closer look at the coalesced form classroom^ix(loc), we can observe thatat the beginning the sign classroom is produced by the two hands, as in the citation form. This sign requires the two hands to undergo handshape change: specifically, the selected fingers should flex at base joints.

            classroom^ix(loc)(before fusion)

By effect of coalescence, in the transition between the two handshapes, the dominant hand does not undergo flattening as the non-dominant hand, rather, it changes its shape producing the typical handshape of locative pointing signs, that is extended index finger.      

            classroom^ix(loc)(after fusion)