researching linguistic features of text genres in a dgs corpus: the case of finger loci
DESCRIPTION
Researching linguistic features of text genres in a DGS corpus: The case of finger loci. Martje Hansen – Jens Hessmann University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal (Germany) Workshop ‘Sign Language Corpora: Linguistic Issues’ London 24–25 July, 2009. The Project. Objectives: - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Researching linguistic features of text genres in a DGS corpus:
The case of finger loci
Martje Hansen – Jens HessmannUniversity of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal (Germany)
Workshop ‘Sign Language Corpora: Linguistic Issues’
London 24–25 July, 2009
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The Project
• Objectives: – Digital library of DGS texts– Classification of text genres
• Team
• Timetable
• Funding
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Case Study: Overview
1. Starting point and hypotheses2. Presentation of our data3. Provisional classification of the data 4. Finger loci: forms and functions5. Distribution of finger loci in DGS-texts5a. Distribution of semantic features5b. Distribution of forms6. Pronominal and textual functions7. ‚Incomplete‘ use8. Remarks and Conclusions
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Finger loci : 1. Starting point and hypotheses
Starting point:
DGS-texts on the web-site of the German Ministry for Labour and Social Policies
Translated into DGS and performed by German Deaf people (Gebärdenwerk)
Characteristics:
High information density and complex text structure– Extensive use of finger loci– Articulation of signs at finger loci (“list buoys”, cf.
Liddell 2003)– Reference-tracking by finger loci across long
stretches of texts– Highly complex interplay of spatial and finger loci.
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Finger loci : 1. Starting point and hypotheses
Hypotheses:
1. Informative, planned texts show more use of finger loci than private, unplanned texts.
2. The use of finger loci in planned text is extended to textual functions.
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2. Finger loci : Presentation of the data
• Data:
Corpus fragment of approximately 7 h 30
• Tentative classification according to • theme• situation • communicative function
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3. Provisional classification of the data
Three groups– Information programmes (tv format ‘Vibelle’: Vib)
2 h 15– Narrative interviews (GEHÖRLOS SO! : GLSO)
2 h 33– Private conversations (‘Berlin Project’ : BP)
2 h 39
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4. Finger loci : forms and functions
Different forms:a. Without indexing - RH: I CAN CAN CAN
LH: ONE TWO THREE
b. Partial indexing of finger loci
referential status of the particular item
c. Full indexing of finger loci on the weak hand as points of reference
d. Textual functions: Based on the referential function, additional use of finger loci to indicate text cohesion
text structure
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5. Finger loci : Distribution in DGS-texts
• Vibelle: 44 (time: 2 h 15 min)
• GLSO : 28 (time: 2 h 33 min)
• Berlin Project: 17 (time: 2 h 39 min)
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5a. Finger loci : Distribution of semantic features
abstract concret human
Vib 41 (1) 3
GLSO 21 4 3
BP 8 0 9
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5a. Finger loci : semantic features
Abstract referents:here: Consequences of
Gobalization = cuisines, equality of women and men
- languages, how to sell, activities, unspecified items, economy, culture, questions…
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5a. Finger loci : semantic features
Concrete referents: here: doing upholstering, ground floors, walls, curtains;
- light bells, heating, flat
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5a. Finger loci : semantic features
Human referents: here: two men who indicated deaf children to the nazis: 1. Direktor (?) Müller, 2. Herr Gruber- relatives, children, friends, policemen, combat groups, unemployed people,
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5b. Finger loci : distribution of forms
Indexing of all finger
No indexing
Mixed indexing
Vib 19 5 20
GLSO 11 11 6
BP 5 6 6
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5b. Finger loci : distribution of formsIndexing of all finger loci
Referents:
1. Leisure time activities
2. Building repairs
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5b. Finger loci : distribution of formsNo indexing of finger loci
Referents:
Different precious possessions
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5b. Finger loci : distribution of formsMixed indexing of finger loci
Referents:
1 and 2.:
Two new languages,
3 : English
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6. Finger loci : Pronominal function
Referents:
5 friends, two of them female, four without driving licence
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6. Finger loci : Pronominal function and textual structuring
Presenter asks his collegue two questions: 1. consequences of globalization for work in general and 2. for single workers
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7. Finger loci : ‘Incomplete’ use
Problems due to the „on-line“ processing:
1. Two-item listing is articulated using a finger locus only for the first or only for the second item
2. Listing starts with one or two finger-loci, further elaboration without finger loci
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7. ‘Incomplete’ use of finger loci Listing starts with one or two finger-loci, further elaboration
without finger loci:
Presenter names the areas influenced by globalizations: 1 = economy, 2 = politics, (3) culture, (4) social issues
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7. ‘Incomplete’ use of finger loci Three item-listing, using the ‚wrong‘ finger locus:
Example: Presenter names activities of Greenpeace 1. against whaling, 2. overfishing, 3. pollution by chemicals
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8. Remarks and Conclusions
a. Individual preferences for finger loci in all text types
e.g. GLSO:
1st film/signer: 49 min with 2 occurrences
2nd film/signer: 68 min with 20 occurrences
3rd film/signer: 42 min with 6 occurrences
b. Specialized texts do not show an even distribution of finger loci:
long sequences (e.g. about economy and labour market) without finger loci
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8. Remarks and Conclusions
c. sometimes, the use of finger loci may resemble (ordinal) numbers, but fulfills wider functions
Example: Presenter introduces second topic, concerning NGOs
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8. Remarks and Conclusions
General concept: Referential structures
Next steps:
1. Determination of the relationship between finger and spatial loci in texts:
Total number of referents and relationship between spatial and finger loci for these referents
Hierarchies between referents and respective loci (internal text levels)
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8. Remarks and Conclusions
Next steps:
2. Related phenomena:
Determination of referents without any locus along different text types
Distribution and referential use of classifiers in different text types
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8. Remarks and Conclusions
Research objectives:
I. Understanding reference in (German) sign language(s)
II. Understanding variation in the use of referential structures in different registers and text genres.
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References
• Biber, Douglas (1995). Dimensions of register variation: a cross-linguistic comparison. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Biber, Douglas/Connor, Ulla/Upton, Thomas A. (2007). Discourse on the move. Using corpus analysis to describe discourse structure. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins B.V.
• Liddell, Scott K. (2003). Grammar, Gesture, and Meaning in ASL. Cambridge: University Press.