A Grammar of Sign Language of the Netherlands (NGT)

A negative affix negates the meaning of the stem. We found a prefix un- and a suffix -less which are both loan elements from Dutch. The affix un- in particular is considered part of Sign Supported Dutch (SSD, see also SOCIO-HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 2.2); yet, it is used by some native signers when communicating with each other. After consulting multiple signers, we conclude it is commonly used in Groningen, but not so much in other parts of the Netherlands. The form of the morpheme originates from speech therapy classes, in which the Dutch negative prefix ‘on-’ was visualized by an index finger on the nose, because of the nasal sound. The morpheme un- also behaves quite similarly to the Dutch prefix and combines with adverbs, adjectives and some verbs. An example is shown below, in which the adjective prepared (Video a,) combines with the negative prefix to yield the meaning ‘unprepared’ (‘onvoorbereid’) (Video b,):

The suffix -less attaches to nouns, and the new combination results in adverbs/adjectives. The sign is not used productively, and is only found in specific compounds that seem to be borrowed from Dutch, such as the compound roof^less ‘homeless’ (Figure c.).

 Figure C. The sign roof^less 'homeless'.