2.2.2. Phonological phrase
Phonological Phrase is the level where prosodic words are organized into a larger prosodic domain. We see in the section for Prosodic Word [Phonology - 2.2.1.] that the mouth or the position of the head is relevant for marking the domain [Phonology - 2] of a Prosodic Word. The Phonological Phrase, on the other hand, is marked by the spread of the non-dominant hand, represented as (h2) below, across two or more lexical signs. An example is provided below.
(h1) later one later one egg
(h2) later week......................................................................................................................................... egg
(Phonological Phrase ............................................................................................)
‘One week later, an egg (hatches) ...’
The non-dominant hand of the incorporated sign [Lexicon – 3.10.1.1.] one^week is held in place until the right edge of the phonological phrase which coincides with the end of one, while the other hand (h1) keeps on articulating the signs later and one.
The spread of the non-dominant hand within the Phonological Phrase can be regressive as well. Below, the non-dominant hand for the sign for starts with chıld which is a case of regressive spread. Also notice that mouthings are different between the two constituents of the Phonological Phrase, which contrasts with the mouthing distribution in a Prosodic Word [Phonology - 2.2.1.].
/çocuk/ /için/
(h1) chıld for
(h2) for................................................................
(Phonological Phr. .........................................)
‘For the child’
We see above that negation forms a single Prosodic Word [Phonology - 2.2.1.] with the lexical item it attaches to. The same location and the same non-manual marker are used on the lexical item and negation in such cases.
In contrast to negation, another functional sign, the modal marker [Lexicon - 3.3.3.] necessary creates a Phonological Phrase. Although the modal marker is signed in the same location with the lexical item that it follows, namely shoot, there is a position change in the mouth [Phonology - 1.5.1.] and a change in eye gaze. Also each sign keeps its movement intact. The non-dominant hand functions as a domain marker [Phonology - 2.] of the Phonological Phrase since it is part of the first sign and is held during the articulation of the second sign.
eg:object eg:addr
mc mo
(h1) shoot necessary
(h2) shoot...........................................................................................................
(Phonological Phrase...........................................................................................)
‘(The hunter) needs to shoot.’
In addition to domain markers, there is also an edge marker [Phonology - 2.] for a Phonological Phrase. This edge marker is lengthening by means of repetition. In the example below, evenıng is reduplicated, lengthening the duration of the sign.
When this happens, this marks the end of the Phonological Phrase.
/yarın/ /akşam/
(h1) well tomorrow evening++
(h2) well............................. evening++
(Phonological Phrase.....................................................................................................................)
/davet/ /var/
(h1) ınvıtatıon there_ıs+++
(h2) ınvıtatıon.........................................................................................................................................
(Phonological Phrase.........................................................................................................................)
‘There is an invitation for tomorrow evening.’
In the example above, there are two Phonological Phrases. The domain of the first Phonological Phrase is marked by mouthing change from the first sign to the second. The repeated movement which gives an effect of bouncing on the sign evenıng marks the edge of this Phonological Phrase. The second Phonological Phrase is marked by the spread of the non-dominant hand as well as mouthing change from the first sign ınvıtatıon to the second sign there_ıs in this Phonological Phrase. There are also 3 repetitions on the second sign, there_ıs, which marks the right edge of this second Phonological Phrase.
Prosodic Words affect each other if they are in the same Phonological Phrase. In the example below, there is regressive handshape assimilation between the signs lıke and ıx1.
mouth-closed /be:ndim/
ıx1 lıke ıx3a
handshape assimilation <--
(Prosodic Word..............) (Prosodic Word........................................................................................................)
(Phonological Phrase.........................................................................................................................................)
‘(I) liked it.’
Here the handshape of the pointing sign to self, ıx1, becomes the same handshape as the one on the next sign lıke. As we state in the section for Prosodic Word [Phonology - 2.2.1.], lıke forms a Prosodic Word with the following pointing sign. The single mouthing which articulates the Turkish word beğendim 'I liked it' marks this Prosodic Word. The pointing sign to self in the beginning forms another Prosodic Word because here the mouth is closed whereas mouthing starts with the next Prosodic Word.
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