5.1.1 Manual modifiers
In LIS, gradable adjectives can be modified by adding a manual sign that directly indicates the intended degree. The preferred order is adjective followed by its manual modifier. In the adjectival phrase shown below, the adjective beautiful is followed by its modifier quite.
painting beautiful quite
‘A quite beautiful painting’
The modifier quite is typically used to indicate a moderate degree which is perceived as satisfactory. This sign is accompanied by the following non-manuals: furrowed eyebrows, lips protrusion, and sideward head tilt.
Other signs that can combine with adjectives, specifying their intensity or degree, are listed below. Like quite, these modifiers preferably follow the adjective. For the sake of clarity, the order of presentation follows a hypothetical scale from more to less.
Table: List of modifiers that can occur with gradable adjectives
Note that the degree of intensification can be further specified by the co-occurring non-manuals.
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