12 - Toward a Description of Register Variation in American Sign Language

Abstract

This chapter examines the register variation in American Sign Language (ASL). Register variation, sometimes referred to as style variation, involves differential language use that is sensitive to situational factors. It is generally accepted that speakers use language differently in different situations and several models have been put forward that attempt to describe the situational dynamics that control register variation. Other than several seminal studies by Ferguson, which describe features found in specific registers such as baby talk, foreigner talk, and sports announcer talk there are a few empirical studies of register variation in particular languages. Most of the features discussed occur at the phonological or lexical levels. A more in-depth analysis will undoubtedly uncover other variable features at the morphological, syntactic, and discourse levels. The present findings indicate that a native speaker of ASL does truly control a range of language variation, a repertoire in J. Fishman's terms that bears a direct and systematic relationship to a range of social situations and purposes. Obviously, more work is needed in this area. The chapter is focused on one user of one particular language. It would be of interest to study these differences across a range of speakers and for a much broader range of situations. It would also be of interest to discover the spoken language equivalents of the manual-gestural features described here.