The phonological structure of South African Sign Language (SASL) toponyms

Abstract

This study is framed within the prosodic model, and sought to analyse the phonological parameters of handshape, location, palm orientation, movement, and non-manual markers in the formation of SASL toponyms. Place name signs are a cultural and sociolinguistic marker used by deaf communities to name places in their geographic spaces. The study used a sample of 21 place name signs collected as part of a larger place name survey by the University of Free State. Visual data, that is, video images were annotated using ELAN, analysed through written descriptions and validated using constant expert reviews and audit trails. Results indicate that SASL toponyms are variously formed using the manual alphabet handshape, outward hand or palm orientation, location in the neutral space with no contact and either internal or simultaneous movement. Mouthing was found to be a unique feature of the phonology of SASL toponyms. From the results, the study concludes that SASL place names are influenced by written toponyms as most of them are articulated using handshapes of the manual alphabet. Future researchers are implored to explore phonological codification based on spectrographic analysis of SASL toponyms to unveil more nuanced and objective analyses of SASL toponyms.