Abstract
Abstract: Pointing serves many functions both syntactically and communicatively across signed languages. This study seeks to clarify the use of pointing by surveying signed language descriptions of thirty-one languages. Languages are coded for various attributes of pointing such as anaphoric and deictic use, distance marking, eye gaze patterns, and other attributes commonly associated with pointing. The study finds that all but three signed languages in the sample utilize pointing in sign space for anaphoric reference. Methodological issues with constructing a sample as well as a lack of available descriptions prevent statistical analysis. While historical contact among many signed languages has been documented, the effects of this contact have not been evaluated in terms of establishing genealogical and areal dependencies. Thus, while the sample constructed contains a geographically diverse set of languages, it is not diverse in terms of language contact. Furthermore, a larger sample could not be constructed because descriptions of many signed languages did not contain enough information on pointing or could not be accessed. The present study underscores the urgency of addressing these issues.
Published Version
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