1.3.2. Simultaneous
In simultaneous compounds, handshape, location, or movement assimilations occur. The simultaneous compounds involving fingerspelling where handshape assimilation occurs are called initialization [Lexicon – 2.2.2.1]. In initialization, the handshape of the sign is usually the alphabetical handshape for the first letter of the corresponding word from the surrounding spoken language; this handshape replaces the handshape of a lexical item (e.g. the sign wear signed with a 3-Handshape for ‘jacket’). Other such examples are listed below.
l^blue
lacivert (Turkish)
‘navy blue’
p∫head
psikoloji (Turkish)
‘psychology’
(r.f. Taşçı 2012: 56)
In another type of simultaneous compound involving fingerspelling, a fingerspelled letter and a classifier are articulated simultaneously. For instance, the form meaning ‘playstation’ consists of the letter P on the dominant hand and a classifier on the non-dominant hand (and optionally a second independent sign play).
p^CL(x):'flat_object'^play
'playstation’
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