3.4.6.2. The spreading domain of each non-manual marker
In full relative clauses, the non-manual markings raised eyebrows and squint eyes (glossed ‘rel’ in the examples) may spread over the entire relative clause reaching their maximal intensity over the sign pe, when the latter is produced at the end of the relative clause (a), or over the last sign of the relative clause when the sign pe is not produced (b).
rel
a. [child++ win pe] teacher prize give
‘The teacher gives the prize to the children who win.’ (Branchini, 2014: 192)
rel
b. [child win] teacher prize give
‘The teacher gives the prize to the child who wins.’
Alternatively, raised eyebrows and squint eyes can be produced only over pe.
hn
rel
[child win pe] teacher prize give
‘The teacher gives the prize to the child who wins.’
The non-manual marking head nod is produced over the sign pe (either when it is produced at the end of the relative clause, as in the example above, or next to the head noun, as in the example below). A signing pause, an optional eye blink, and a head nod mark the end of the relative clause and the beginning of the main clause.
Spreading of raised eyebrows and squint eyes over the entire relative clause is obligatory when the sign pe is produced next to the head noun, as in the example below.
eb
hn hn
rel
[childa pea competition win] teacher prize give
‘The teacher gave a prize to the child who won the competition.’ (recreated from Branchini, 2014: 199)
In free relatives, the non-manual markings raised eyebrows and squint eyes (glossed ‘rel’ in the examples) obligatorily spread over the entire relative clause. A signing pause and eye blink mark the end of the relative clause and the beginning of the main clause.
eb
rel
[exam done who] today relax
‘Who has taken the exam today is relaxed.’ (Branchini, 2009: 104)
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant Agreement No 693349.