Linguistics in Amsterdam 1-1 (november 2008)

The Grammar of Headshake: A Typological Perspective on German Sign Language Negation1

Roland Pfau

University of Amsterdam.


Abstract
1 Introduction
2 A typology of spoken language negation
2.1 Particles, affixes, and auxiliaries
2.2 Split negation
3 Sentential negation in German Sign Language (DGS)
3.1 Data collection
3.2 The DGS data
3.3 Linguistic vs. affective use of headshake
4 Prosodic modification in negative contexts
4.1 The headshake as a prosodic feature
4.2 Prosodic alterations in spoken language negation
4.3 Prosodic spreading
4.4 Differences between tone and headshake
5 A note on typological variation across sign languages
6 Conclusion
Notes
References