Elective course: Facial grammar in Polish Sign Language 3200-L2-PF-GM-PJM
The course on facial grmmar of Polish Sign Language comprises a few thematic modules:
Introductory module: Introduction to pantomime and facial expression
Module A: Non-manual signals and the phonology of Polish Sign Language
Module B: Non-manual markers as grammatical elements and simultaneous morphology
Module C: Syntactic functions of non-manual signals in creating different types of sentences
Summary module: What else do we not know about facial grammar?
Introductory module:
1. Pantomime/facial expression as a complementary form of communication
2. Non-verbal communication behaviours vs. non-manual linguistic components
3. Affective and linguistic function of non-manual signals in sign languges
Module A:
1. Representation of non-manula signals in Polish Sign Language
2. Articulation of multi-modal signs with the use of non-manual elements
3. Function of mouth gestures and mouthings vs. echo phonology
4. Lexical use of non-manual signals
Module B:
1. The adjectival function of non-manual markers
2. Adverbials expressed by means of facial behaviours
3. Non-manual components of negation as simultaneous affixes
4. The role of non-manual signals in discourse processes
5. From facial gestures to facial grammar: non-manual grammaticalisation
Summary module:
1. Discussion of potential research
2. Are there any non-manual components that vary in relation to social fators?
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
On finishing the course, the student:
KNOWLEDGE
- has linguistic knowledge about non-manual signals and understands well the phonological, lexical, grammatical and prosodic role of these components in a sign language
- knows elementary concepts of facial grammar of a sign language and the basics of grammatical terminology regarding non-manual signals
- has grounded general knowledge of linguistics
- has structured knowledge of facial grammar of a sign language
SKILLS
- can search for, analyse and evaluate authentic signed texts rich in non-manual signals that appear on the Internet, and develop his/her professional skills in the area of applied linguistics
- can use his/her basic knowledge to explain grammatical correctness in relation to the production of non-manual signals in signs, signed phrases and sentences
- can conduct a simple intonation/prosodic analysis of a signed sentence, basing on the acquired knowledge
- correctly uses non-manual signals to produce signs and signed utterances
SOCIAL COMPETENCIES
- is aware that non-manual signals constitute an important part of a sign language
- presents critical attitude towards incorrect use of non-manual signals in grammatical constructions
- diversifies non-manual variants for official and unofficial contexts
- is ready to interaction and work in group, assuming different roles and adhering to adequate rules of academic and professional ethics.
Assessment criteria
Classes
Continuous assessment is based on:
- attendance (two unexcused absences accepted)
- active participation in classes
- regular preparation of home assignments
- written and signed assessments
All assignments are graded according to the following criteria:
0-59% = failed, (2.0)
60-67% = satisfactory (3.0)
68-75% = satisfactory plus (3.5)
76-83% = good (4.0)
84-91% = good plus (4.5)
92-98% = very good (5.0)
99-100% = very good! (5.0!)
Getting credit
Getting credit for the course is based on students' command of the material in theory and practice.
Students are graded according to the following criteria:
0-59% = failed (2.0)
60-67% = satisfactory (3.0)
68-75% = satisfactory plus (3.5)
76-83% = good (4.0)
84-91% = good plus (4.5)
92-98% = very good (5.0)
99-100% = very good! (5.0!)
Students are required to attend all the classes. The allowed number of unexcused absences is 2 per 30 contact hours. When the number of allowed absences is exceeded, the student will be given additional tasks aimed at making up for the material missed from the classes by that student. If the number of absences exceeds 50% or more, it will result in a negative grade from the course.
If classroom learning is impossible, classes will be conducted with the help of distance communication tools, most probably Zoom, Google Meet and others recommended by the University.
Bibliography
Recommended literature:
Baker, C., Padden. C. (1978). Focusing on the nonmanual components in American Sign Language. W: P. Siple (red.), Understanding language through sign language research. New York: Academic Press.
Baker-Schenk, Ch. (1985). The Facial Behavior of Deaf Signers: Evidence of a Complex Language. American Annals of the Deaf, 130 (4), 297-304.
Crasborn, O. A. (2006). Nonmanual structures in sign language. W: K. Brown (red.) Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics, Second Edition, vol. 8. Oxford: Elsevier.
Herrmann, A., Steinbach, M. (2013). Nonmanuals in sign language. John Benjamins Publishing Company (wybrane rozdziały).
Liddell, S (1980). American Sign Language syntax. The Hague, The Netherlands: Mouton (wybrane rozdziały).
Mohr, S. (2014). Mouth Actions in Sign Languages. De Gruyter Mouton - Ishara Press (wybrane rozdziały).
Reilly, J., McIntire, M., Seago, H. (1992). Affective prosody in American Sign Language. Sign Language Studies, 75, 113–128.
Sutton-Spence, R., Woll, B. (1998). The linguistics of British Sign Language - An introduction (wybrane rozdziały).
Tomaszewski, P. Rosik, P. (2007). Sygnały niemanualne a zdania pojedyncze w polskim języku migowym: gramatyka twarzy. Poradnik Językowy, 1, 33-49.
Tomaszewski, P. Rosik, P. (2007). Sygnały niemanualne a zdania złożone w polskim języku migowym: gramatyka twarzy. Poradnik Językowy, 2, 64-80.
Tomaszewski, P.. Farris, M. (2010). Not by the hands alone: Function of non-manual features in Polish Sign Language. W: B. Bokus (ed.), Studies in the psychology of language and communication. Warsaw: Matrix.
Wilbur, R. (2021). Non-manual markers: theoretical and experimental perspectives. W: J. Quer, R. Pfau, A. Herrmann (red.), The routledge handbook of theoretical and experimental sign language research. London and New York: RoutledgeTaylor & Francis Group.
Complementary literature:
Bahan, B. (1996). Non-manual realization of agreement in American Sign Language. Dysertacja doktorska. Boston University.
Baker, C. (1977). Regulators and turn-taking in American Sign Language discourse. W: L. Friedman (red.), On the other hand. New perspectives on American Sign Language. New York: Academic Press.
Boyes Braem, P., Sutton-Spence, R. (red.) (2001). The hands are the head of the mouth. The mouth as articulator in sign languages. Hamburg: Signum.
Brentari, D., Falk, J., Giannakidou, A., Herrmann, A., Volk, E., Steinbach, M. (2018). Production and comprehension of prosodic markers in sign language imperatives. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 228-241.
Corina, D., Bellugi, U., Reilly, J, (1999). Neuropsychological studies of linguistic and affective facial expressions in Deaf signers. Language and Speech, 42, 307–331.
Dachkovsky, S., Sandler, W. (2009). Visual intonation in the prosody of a sign language. Language and Speech, 52 (2-3), 287-314.
Ekman, P. (1993). Facial expression and emotion. American Psychologist, 48, 384–392.
Neidle, C., Kegl, J., MacLaughlin, D., Bahan, B., Lee, R. G. (2000). The syntax of American Sign Language. Functional categories and hierarchical structure. Cambridge: MIT Press.
Wilbur, R. (2000). Phonological and prosodic layering of non-manuals in American Sign Language. W: K. Emmorey, H. Lane (red.), The signs of language revisited. An anthology to honor Ursula Bellugi and Edward Klima. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Wilbur, R., Patschke, C. (1999). Syntactic correlates of the brow raise in ASL. Sign Language and Linguistics, 2(1), 3-41.
Sandler, W. , Lillo-Martin, D. (2006). Sign language and linguistic universals. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Tomaszewski, P. (2010). Fonologia wizualna polskiego języka migowego. Warszawa: MATRIX.
Zeshan, U. (2004). Hand, head, and face: Negative constructions in sign languages. Linguistic Typology, 8, 1-58.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: