A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS)

When the mouthing reproduces a part of the corresponding Italian word, it is classified as reduced form. As mouthing shows a high degree of variation among signers, it is not possible to identify rules determining how the word should be exactly reduced. However, some general tendencies can be observed. In most cases, reduced forms preserve: i) the initial part of the word, ii) the visually most salient phonemes.

            Truncation tends to occur right after the tonic syllable of the word. A couple of examples are provided below: finished (Ita. finìto) (a) and work (Ita. lavòro) (b).

 

 

 

                                    [fini]

            a.         finished

 

 

 

                          [lavo]

            b.         work

 

Sometimes, truncation occurs after an atonic syllable, so the tonic syllable is deleted. This can be observed, for example, in the sign why, which is typically accompanied by the partial mouthing [mo], which results from the truncation of the Italian word motìvo (‘reason’) occurring before the tonic syllable [tì].

 

 

 

             [mo]

               wh

            why

 

In a few instances, the reduced form is limited to the articulation of the only tonic syllable in word-internal position. For example, the sign identical (Ita. uguàle) is commonly accompanied by the reduced form [gua], corresponding to the tonic syllable.

 

 

 

                     [gua]

            identical

 

When reduced forms are used, they typically extend over one manual sign only. So, spreading phenomena over more than one sign are generally not observed.