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8 - Interpersonal Grammar in British Sign Language

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2021

By
Luke A. Rudge
Edited by
J. R. Martin ,
Beatriz Quiroz  and
Giacomo Figueredo
J. R. Martin
Affiliation:
University of Sydney
Beatriz Quiroz
Affiliation:
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
Giacomo Figueredo
Affiliation:
Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil
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Summary

This chapter adds to the growing literature on the interpersonal metafunction by describing and analysing British Sign Language (BSL) from a systemic functional perspective. Whereas other chapters in this volume use the spoken and written modalities to communicate meaning, BSL operates principally in the visual-spatial modality. Nonetheless, various parallels can be drawn with other languages that have been described and analysed in SFL terms. This chapter provides a brief overview of the basics of BSL expression, focusing on the hands, upper body and space in front of a signer to give non-signing readers an insight into the basics of signed communication. Through discussions on the distinction between the planes of expression and content in BSL – and the associated difficulties when attempting to identify the distribution of semiotic labour between these planes – the interpersonal systems of MOOD, POLARITY and MODALITY are exemplified via lexicogrammatical analyses of two dialogic BSL interactions, including argumentation for a Predicator function in BSL. A full interpersonal analysis of the interactions is also presented, alongside proposals of future studies within the interpersonal metafunction and broader, more applied concerns.

Keywords

British Sign Languageembodied communicationrank scaleMODALITYMOODPOLARITYPredicatorsimultaneityvisual-spatial modality
Type
Chapter
Information
Interpersonal Grammar
Systemic Functional Linguistic Theory and Description
 , pp. 227 - 256
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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