Gestualité humaine et langues des signes: Entre continuum et variations

Abstract

In this article we propose to take another look at the notion of gestural continuum developed by Kendon (1988) by exploring the bases connecting co-speech gestural language to both emerging and institutionalized signed languages (SL). First, we place gestural continuum back in perspective with a definition of pantomime including its historical dimension and its semiological specificities. We point out formal and functional distinctions between pantomime and the iconic structures of SL. Then we make a case for the irrelevance of including pantomime in the continuum. The second part of our article presents the way the main highly iconic structures (HIS) work in SL. We illustrate our remarks with examples from French, Brazilian and Mauritian sign languages. The analysis we propose demonstrates how these structures are organized compositionally and how they should be included in Kendon's continuum instead of pantomime. Finally we approach reflection on the continuum by the analysis of emerging SL developed by Deaf individuals interacting with an exclusively hearing environment. This analysis enables us to reinforce the existence of certain formal and functional points that human gestural language, highly iconic structures and SL have in common. Copyright 2010 Maison des sciences de l'homme. All rights reserved.