4.1.2.3. Non-manual marking
The non-manuals marking definiteness described for articles (raised eyebrows, chin up, contracted cheeks, and mouth slightly open, as discussed in SYNTAX 4.1.1.3) are usually also found with demonstratives. This is because both classes of determiners are definite in nature.
If the direction of the eye-gaze (here labelled as ‘eg’) coincides with that of the demonstrative, the signer emphasizes that the referent is physically present in the extra-linguistic context. In the example below, the eye-gaze is pointed downward, in the same direction indicated by the demonstrative ix(dem). This alignment between eye-gaze and demonstrative suggests that the referent (pen) is physically present in the scene of the interaction.
eg
pen ix(dem) need ix1
‘I need this pen.’
Deictic demonstratives refer to someone or something present in the surrounding extra-linguistic context, which might be more or less distant from the signer. The proximal or distal specification is often signalled by non-manuals. For example, proximity can be marked by body posture and/or half-closed eyes, as in (a), while distality can be marked by eye opening and chin up, as in (b).
a. ix(dem)[proximal]
b. ix(dem)[distal]
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant Agreement No 693349.