Code-blending of functional heads in Hong Kong Sign Language and Cantonese: A case study

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 754-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
CAT H.-M. FUNG ◽  
GLADYS TANG
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Sign Language ◽  
Deaf Child ◽  
Code Switching ◽  
Functional Elements ◽  
Functional Head ◽  
Native Signers ◽  
Crosslinguistic Influence ◽  
Hong Kong Sign Language

In analyzing code-switching in spoken languages, Chan (2003, 2008) proposes that only functional heads with their associated language determine the order of the complement. In this paper, we examine whether Chan's analysis can account for code-blending in Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL) and Cantonese by a deaf child (2;0.26–6;6.26) and three deaf adult native signers. HKSL and Cantonese differ in head directionality so far as the functional elements of modals, negators, and auxiliaries are concerned. They are head-final in HKSL but head-initial in Cantonese. The HKSL–Cantonese code-blending data in this study largely conform to Chan's analysis, where the order of the complement is determined by which language the functional head appears in. However, code-blending the functional heads of a similar category in both languages leads to either order of the complement. Also, the deaf child's apparent violations of adult HKSL grammar reveal crosslinguistic influence from Cantonese to HKSL during code-blending.

Development of the Hong Kong Sign Language Sentence Repetition Test

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-317
Author(s):  
Felix Sze ◽  
Monica Xiao Wei ◽  
David Lam
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Sign Language ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Sentence Repetition ◽  
Psychometric Measures ◽  
Manual Signs ◽  
Early Learners ◽  
Native Signers ◽  
Hong Kong Sign Language ◽  
The Rasch Model

Abstract This paper presents the design and development of the Hong Kong Sign Language-Sentence Repetition Test (HKSL-SRT). It will be argued that the test offers evidence of discriminability, reliability, as well as practicality and can serve as an effective global measurement of individuals' proficiency in HKSL. The full version of the test consists of 40 signed sentences of increasing length and complexity. Specifically, we will evaluate the manual and non-manual components of these sentences to find out whether and to what extent they can differentiate three groups of deaf signers, namely, native signers, early learners and late learners. Statistical analyses show that the test scores based on a correct repetition of the manual signs of each sentence bear a significant negative correlation with signers' age of acquisition. Including the correct repetition of non-manuals in the scoring scheme can result in higher reliability and separation index of the test in the Rasch model. This paper will also discuss how psychometric measures of Rasch analysis, including the concept of fit and the rankings of items/persons in the Wright map, have been applied to the original list of the 40 sentence items for the development of a shortened test.

Historical Development of Hong Kong Sign Language

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Sze ◽  
Connie Lo ◽  
Lisa Lo ◽  
Kenny Chu
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Sign Language ◽  
Historical Development ◽  
Hong Kong Sign Language

Location variation in Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL)

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai Yan Rebecca Siu
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
American Sign Language ◽  
Sign Language ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
American Sign ◽  
Sociolinguistic Variation ◽  
Citation Form ◽  
Hong Kong Sign Language ◽  
New Zealand Sign Language

Abstract This paper presents results from a study of sociolinguistic variation in Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL). Specifically, it reports findings about location variation in a class of signs like know that are produced at/above the signer’s forehead in their citation form, but are sometimes articulated at a lower location in everyday conversation. Eight hundred tokens of target signs from 40 signers were analyzed. As also found in studies of location ‘dropping’ in similar signs in American Sign Language, Australian Sign Language, and New Zealand Sign Language, variation in HKSL correlates with linguistic and social factors in a systematic way (Lucas, Bayley, & Valli, 2001; Schembri, McKee, McKee, Pivac, Johnston, & Goswell, 2009). A comparison of findings across these four languages is presented and discussed. The results of the present study suggest that a set of forehead-located signs that express the names of deaf schools may have affected results due to their salience. The work environment (i.e., sign language related work roles) of participants may also affect ‘careful’ versus lowered production of forehead signs.

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