Similar but different: Investigating temporal constructions in sign language

Abstract

This paper presents a study of French Sign Language (LSF) temporal constructions. While we know from spoken language research that temporal constructions can be expressed through a variety of syntactic strategies such as subordination, juxtaposition, and coordination, finding their equivalent in sign languages is often a challenge due to the absence of overt complementizers and other function words such as coordinators. This study explores temporal constructions in LSF and frames them within a broad typological perspective. We show that LSF temporal clauses are very different from those of Italian Sign language (LIS) studied by Aristodemo (2017). Specifically, LSF temporal constructions are composed of two coordinated clauses and the temporal marker is integrated into the second conjunct. LIS temporal clauses, on the other hand, are composed of a main and a subordinated clause. This finding shows that the typological categories found in spoken language are also relevant for sign language studies.