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Published on: November 30, 2018
Using Eye Tracking to Examine Effects of Overt Localization on Referential Processing in German Sign Language
Anne Wienholz1, Derya Nuhbalaoglu-Ayan2, Nivedita Mani3
1Institute of German Sign Language and Communication of the Deaf, University of Hamburg, Gorch-Fock-Wall 7, 20354, Hamburg, Germany. awien.research@gmail.com.
Journal of Psycholinguistic Research
|June 26, 2026
Summary
In German Sign Language (DGS), overt manual localization using an INDEX sign did not enhance the accessibility of discourse referents. Eye tracking showed no difference in processing when referential loci were explicitly marked.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Psycholinguistics
- Sign Language Studies
Background:
- Referential expression processing depends on antecedent accessibility.
- Sign languages utilize referential loci (R-loci) in signing space for discourse referents.
- The function of overt manual localization in enhancing referent accessibility is underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if overt manual localization with an INDEX sign increases discourse referent prominence and accessibility in German Sign Language (DGS).
- To examine the processing of referential expressions in DGS under different localization conditions.
Main Methods:
- An eye tracking experiment was conducted with deaf adult DGS signers.
- Participants viewed DGS videos with two-sentence discourses introducing two referents.
- Referent marking varied between no localization and localization with an INDEX sign.
Main Results:
- Signers consistently fixated the referent continued in the second sentence.
- Overt manual localization did not significantly affect signers' gaze patterns.
- No evidence of facilitatory processing due to overt localization was found.
Conclusions:
- Overt manual localization with an INDEX sign may not enhance referent accessibility in DGS.
- The linguistic function of localization in promoting prominence requires further investigation.
- Experimental stimuli might not have been sufficient to reveal potential effects of localization.
