{"id":2467,"date":"2024-08-06T14:58:58","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T06:58:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/?page_id=2467"},"modified":"2025-07-28T15:37:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T07:37:08","slug":"module-15-non-manuals-in-sign-languages-i","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/sign-linguistics\/module-15-non-manuals-in-sign-languages-i\/","title":{"rendered":"Module 15 &#8211; Non-manuals in Sign Languages (I)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cuhk.ap.panopto.com\/Panopto\/Pages\/Embed.aspx?id=c38afa45-fa0b-4875-8522-b1bf007cb86c&amp;autoplay=false&amp;offerviewer=false&amp;showtitle=false&amp;showbrand=false&amp;captions=false&amp;interactivity=none\" height=\"285\" width=\"720\" style=\"border: 1px solid #464646;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Many hearing people have the misconception that sign languages are expressed only through the moving hands and arms. This is not true. In fact, sign languages are visual-gestural languages in which linguistic information can be expressed by the hands and other parts of the body, e.g., facial actions, positions and movements of the head, shoulders, and upper body as a whole (Crasborn, 2006). These linguistic signals produced by body parts other than one&#8217;s hands are known as non-manual markers, non-manual signals, or just non-manuals. Non-manuals are typically used simultaneously with the manual signs, and they may function at different linguistic levels. In this module, we will mainly focus on the use of non-manuals on the phonological, lexical and morphological levels with examples from HKSL. The next module will discuss examples of non-manuals on the syntactic level.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cuhk.ap.panopto.com\/Panopto\/Pages\/Embed.aspx?id=439ec14c-17d5-4e5a-a5aa-b1bf007cac8c&amp;autoplay=false&amp;offerviewer=false&amp;showtitle=false&amp;showbrand=false&amp;captions=false&amp;interactivity=none\" height=\"285\" width=\"720\" style=\"border: 1px solid #464646;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">At the phonological level, a non-manual signal can be an integral part of a sign but it does not carry an identifiable meaning itself. In HKSL, both SITUATION (Example 1) and MATTER (Example 2) require the lip-rounding feature, which does not seem to have any specific meaning on its own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 1: SITUATION<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 2: MATTER<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Some lexical signs require non-manual signals that gesturally and visually represent how a person would look like when performing specific actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 3: SOFT-DRINK<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 4: BIRTHDAY-CAKE<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">The sign SOFT-DRINK in HKSL depicts a person drinking beverage with a drinking straw. The lip-rounding feature corresponds with the shape of a mouth with a straw inside. In BIRTHDAY-CAKE, the lip-rounding feature mimics the mouth action of blowing out a candle on a birthday cake. Both instances of lip rounding are visually iconic. \n<\/p><p style=\"font-size:15px\">Some visually iconic non-manuals involve other facial features as well.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 5: INFLATE-A-BALOON<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 6: DETECTIVE<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">In INFLATE-A-BALOON, the signer\u2019s cheeks are puffed, just like what happens to our cheeks when we blow up a balloon. The sign DETECTIVE mimics a person holding and seeing through a magnifying glass, which is a commonplace impression of what a detective usually looks like in cartoons or movies.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">\nThe non-manuals in Example 3 to 6 are visually iconic, and they are closely tied to the meaning of the manual signs. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cuhk.ap.panopto.com\/Panopto\/Pages\/Embed.aspx?id=96393682-4efd-4496-91a3-b1bf007cacff&amp;autoplay=false&amp;offerviewer=false&amp;showtitle=false&amp;showbrand=false&amp;captions=false&amp;interactivity=none\" height=\"285\" width=\"720\" style=\"border: 1px solid #464646;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">However, at the morphological level, some non-manual signals are actually independent from the manual signs. These non-manual signals provide additional meaning to the signs. Example 7a shows the HKSL verb DO-HOMEWORK and Example 8a shows the HKSL verb CUT-PAPER-WITH-SCISSORS. In Example 7b and Example 8b, the two verbs are accompanied with a set of non-manuals (i.e., eyebrow-raising, tongue protrusion, side-to-side head movements) which carry the adverbial meaning &#8220;+haphazardly&#8221;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 7a: DO-HOMEWORK<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 7b: DO-HOMEWORK + haphazardly <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 8a: CUT-PAPER-WITH-SCISSORS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 8b: CUT-PAPER-WITH-SCISSORS + haphazardly<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Note that this non-manual adverb (i.e., +haphazardly) is not visually iconic, because a person does not actually look like this when doing something haphazardly. This adverb is combined with the verbs in a simultaneous fashion. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cuhk.ap.panopto.com\/Panopto\/Pages\/Embed.aspx?id=4539c557-d67e-4b62-b630-b1bf007cacda&amp;autoplay=false&amp;offerviewer=false&amp;showtitle=false&amp;showbrand=false&amp;captions=false&amp;interactivity=none\" height=\"285\" width=\"720\" style=\"border: 1px solid #464646;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 9 and 10 illustrate another non-manual adverbial &#8220;+with-difficulty&#8221; in HKSL. \nExample 9a shows a simple sentence, &#8216;A truck goes up the hill&#8217;. In Example 9b, the truck is loaded with heavy boxes and it is difficult for the truck to go uphill. The adverbial meaning &#8220;+with difficulty&#8221; is partially expressed by the signer\u2019s facial expression (i.e., clenched teeth, wrinkled nose, narrowed eyes).  Example 10b shows the same non-manual adverb overlaid on the verb CL[=open a jar lid].<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 9a: <br\/>HILL TRUCK CL[=truck go uphill]<br\/>&#8216;A truck goes up the hill.&#8217;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 9b: <br\/>TRUCK  CL[=boxes of goods on lorry]  MANY   HILL CL[=truck go uphill with difficulty]<br\/>&#8216;A truck goes up the hill with difficulty.&#8217;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 10a: <br\/>CL[=open a jar lid]<br\/>&#8216;Open a jar lid&#8217;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">Example 10b: <br\/>CL[=open a jar lid with difficulty]<br\/>&#8216;Open a jar lid with difficulty&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cuhk.ap.panopto.com\/Panopto\/Pages\/Embed.aspx?id=a6aee0ff-ab7f-4075-966a-b1bf007cacb4&amp;autoplay=false&amp;offerviewer=false&amp;showtitle=false&amp;showbrand=false&amp;captions=false&amp;interactivity=none\" height=\"285\" width=\"720\" style=\"border: 1px solid #464646;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\">The examples discussed above show that non-manual signals are common in HKSL on the phonological, lexical and morphological level. In the next module, we will discuss non-manual signals on the syntactic level with further examples from HKSL. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\"><strong><strong><u><br>References:<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:15px\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">Crasborn, O. (2006). Nonmanual structures in sign languages. In K. Brown (Ed.), <em>Encyclopedia of language &amp; linguistics<\/em> (Vol. 8, pp. 668-672). Elsevier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/sign-linguistics\/module-14-sign-language-morphology-ii-simultaneous-non-concatenative-morphology\/\">&lt; Module 14 &#8211; Sign Language Morphology (II)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/sign-linguistics\/module-16-non-manuals-in-sign-languages-ii\/\">Module 16 &#8211; Non-manuals in sign languages (II) &gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div><p id=\"pvc_stats_2467\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"2467\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon small\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p><div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many hearing people have the misconception that sign languages are expressed only through the moving hands and arms. This is not true. In fact, sign languages are visual-gestural languages in which linguistic information can be expressed by the hands and other parts of the body, e.g., facial actions, positions and&#8230; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/sign-linguistics\/module-15-non-manuals-in-sign-languages-i\/\">Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_2467\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"2467\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon small\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path 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class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":763,"menu_order":15,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/full-width.php","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":"[]"},"class_list":["post-2467","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2467","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2467"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2467\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2779,"href":"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2467\/revisions\/2779"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.cslds.org\/apsl-consortium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}