A Grammar of Sign Language of the Netherlands (NGT)

5.1.3. Handle classifiers

Handle (or handling) classifier handshapes combine with movement verb stems that show how an entity is held or manipulated. They represent only a part of the entity they refer to, and usually this is the smallest part of the entity. The mentioned study identified eight handshapes that can function as a handle classifier. In Table X, these handshapes are shown together with a verbal description of the form of the manipulated entities, and examples of these entities: 

 

 

 

Handshape

Description of manipulated entities

Examples of manipulated entities

Large

Boxes, couches

3D round

Apples, stones

Large entities

People/animals, walls

3D cylindrical

Mugs, apples, balls, poles, trees

Small/flat

Clothes, books

Small/thin

Pens, flowers, cups (by handle)

Thick flat

Paper, books, people (by their clothes)

Flat

Piles of paper, towels, books

Thin cylindrical (held with some force)

Handles, poles, string

Thin cylindrical (held with delicacy)

Silverware, banknotes, string

 

Table X. Handshapes that are used in handling classifier predicates, with a description of the form of the manipulated entities and examples.

 

Again, I would like to point out a few (morpho)syntactic characteristics. As with entity classifiers, the order of the expression of the entity and the classifier predicate is not fixed, and the entity/noun might not even be mentioned overtly. As for the relationship between classifier type and argument structure, handling classifiers combine only with transitive verbs in which they always classify the object. Note, however, that the kind of agent may influence the classifier handshape that is selected by the signer, as different types of manipulator may ask for different handling classifiers (e.g. during roleshift). In Video/Figure X, the verb โ€˜giveโ€™ is shown, with two different direct objects: in X.a, a glass of drinks is given, in X.b, a balloon is given:

 

 

 

a. glass CL(<): โ€˜move_from_a_to_bโ€™

โ€˜I give a glass to youโ€™.

b. balloon cl(#): โ€˜move_from_a_to_bโ€™

โ€˜I give a balloon to youโ€™.

 

 

 

 

 

List of editors

Ulrika Klomp & Roland Pfau
(note: this grammar is still under construction)

Copyright info

ยฉ 2021 Ulrika Klomp & Roland Pfau

Bibliographical reference for citation

The entire grammar:
Klomp, Ulrika and Roland Pfau (eds.). 2020. A Grammar of Sign Language of the Netherlands (NGT). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series). (http://sign-hub.eu/grammars/...) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

A Chapter:
Smith, Mary. 2020. Syntax: 3. Coordination and Subordination. In Branchini, Chiara and Lara Mantovan (eds.), A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series), 230-237. ((http://sign-hub.eu/grammars/...) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

A Section:
Smith, Mary. 2020. Phonology: 1.1.1.2. Finger configuration. In Mary, Smith, Ben Smith and Carlo Smith (eds.), A Grammar of Catalan Sign Language (LSC). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series), 230-237. (http://sign-hub.eu/grammars/...) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

Smith, Mary. 2020. Syntax: 3.1.2.1.3. Manual markers in disjunctive coordination. In Mary, Smith, Ben Smith and Carlo Smith (eds.), A Grammar of Catalan Sign Language (LSC). 1st edn. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series), 230-237. (http://sign-hub.eu/grammars/...) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

europe-flagThis project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant Agreement No 693349.

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