Marie-Anne Sallandre

Iconicity in Sign Language: A Theoretical and Methodological Point of View

This research was carried out within the framework of the linguistic theory of iconicity and cognitive grammar for French Sign Language (FSL). In this paper we briefly explain some crucial elements used to analyse any Sign Language (SL), especially transfer operations, which appear to make up the core of a spatial grammar. Then we present examples taken from our video database of deaf native speakers engaged in narrative activities. Finally we discuss the difficulty as well as the importance of studying highly iconic occurrences in uninterrupted spontaneous FSL discourse.

Reference Resolution in French Sign Language (LSF)

This chapter examines the expression of nominal reference in French Sign Language (LSF). It shows that an analysis of nominal reference in sign languages (SL) has to take into consideration not only lexical signs but also the constructions currently referred to as classifier constructions in the literature. It begins by reviewing the debate regarding the description and status of non-conventional units in SL literature. The chapter presents theoretical framework and explains the centrality of nonconventional units for the structural economy of SL. It discusses the main studies of nominal reference in a number of SLs, couched in diverse theoretical approaches. The chapter shows how the interaction between lexical units and non-conventional units allows a better understanding of the expression of nominal reference in SL. It concludes that the potential contribution of SL research is provided for the understanding of the linguistic expression of reference. Keywords: French Sign Language (LSF); linguistic expression; non-conventional units; SL literature