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New Insights Into Mouthings: Evidence From a Corpus-Based Study of Russian Sign Language
Anastasia Bauer1, Masha Kyuseva2
1Slavic Department, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Frontiers in Psychology
|March 14, 2022
Summary
Mouthings in Russian Sign Language (RSL) are explored, revealing extensive variation and a unique link to written language. This study enhances understanding of cross-modal features in sign languages.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Sign Language Studies
- Sociolinguistics
Background:
- Mouthings, a cross-modal phenomenon in sign languages, are understudied, especially in Russian Sign Language (RSL).
- Previous research has not fully explored the diversity and origins of mouthings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use, distribution, forms, functions, and spreading patterns of mouthings in native RSL signers.
- To provide novel insights into the origin and variation of mouthings in RSL.
- To uniquely describe mouthings as a written-language-based contact phenomenon.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of novel data from the online RSL Corpus.
- Elicitation of additional data from native RSL signers.
Main Results:
- Mouthings in RSL exhibit significant variation in distribution, forms, and functions.
- Spreading patterns of mouthings within RSL were identified.
- Mouthings were documented as a written-language-based contact phenomenon, a novel finding.
Conclusions:
- Sign languages display greater variation in mouthings than previously assumed.
- Mouthings in RSL demonstrate a complex interplay between signed, spoken, and written languages.
- This research advances the understanding of contact-induced features in sign languages.
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