A Grammar of Sign Language of the Netherlands (NGT)

Back-channeling is an important part of interaction. It consists of signals provided by the addressee to let the signer know whether or not they are still following what is being signed. Manual signals are, for example, the sign yes (ja), the palm_up sign, or a repetition of a sign produced by the signer who has the turn, but note that these are lexical signs and not part of prosody. Non-manual signals are, for instance, a head-nod, a squint, a mouthing, or wrinkling of the nose. There is little research on the grammaticalization or on the distribution of these kinds of signals in NGT – and therefore on their prosodic status – but it is clear that the signals for positive feedback, which stimulate continuation of the signer’s turn, are different from the signals for negative feedback, which show misunderstanding or confusion. Positive feedback can be signaled by head nods, and even confirming headshakes that express comprehension or agreement, and by repeating a sign articulated by signer (see SIGN-HUB platform for video examples).

An example of negative feedback is shown in Figure 2.53. The addressee does not completely understand what her interlocutor is trying to express. She shows this by frowning her eyebrows, squinting her eyes, tensing her mouth, and moving her head slightly forward.

Figure 2.53. Non-manual expression of negative feedback (translated as ‘Huh, what?’) (CNGT1654, S68, 00:08.770-00:11.800).