M.A. Theses in Linguistics at the University of North Dakota (Abstracts)

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Jones, Stephen 2013
Classifier constructions as procedural signs in American Sign Language

In this thesis I will be analyzing what has typically, in sign language literature, been
termed classifiers and classifier constructions. I will be approaching them from the
pragmatic perspective by applying Relevance Theory to explain their usage as
representations that manipulate and modify their referents. The data comes from texts
signed by native users of American Sign Language and are from academic lectures,
interviews, narrative, and course curriculum. I have found that Relevance Theory
adequately describes why and when classifiers constructions are used and that they
function as a procedural referring expression.

Download thesis from http://arts-sciences.und.edu/summer-institute-of-linguistics/theses/_files/docs/2013-jones-stephen.pdf