Konstrukcje klasyfikatorowe w komunikacji użytkowników litewskiego języka migowego

ENThis dissertation investigates the use of classifiers, classifier constructions, and classifier predicates in Lithuanian Sign Language (lietuvių gestų kalba, LGK). The analysis is based on elicited empirical data obtained from Deaf LGK users. The dissertation examines and describes the semantic, typological, and grammatical properties of classifiers with a particular focus on the characteristics of visual-spatial communication in Lithuania. Chapters 1-3 introduce the main arguments related to classifiers discussed in the current literature by giving an outline of relevant theoretical questions and domains. Chapter 1 discusses some key terminological issues and indicates the main classifier types analyzed in the current linguistic research. Chapter 2 gives an overview of the crucial morphological, syntactic, and phonological questions, defines the use of body and non-manual elements in classifier constructions, and determines spatial relations and the role of three-dimensional space in the system of classifier predicates. Chapter 3 introduces the relation between classifiers and iconicity in sign languages (based on iconic mappings) and marks the status of classifier predicates in the lexicalization process. Chapter 4 gives an overview of visual-spatial communication in Lithuania and presents current descriptions related to classifiers in LGK. More specifically, chapter 4 characterizes Deaf communities in various cultural, historical, and educational contexts. In addition, the chapter gives an overview of the activities of main organizations which support sign language development and of the legal regulations which determine the use of LGK. The chapter concludes by presenting the current insufficient linguistic descriptions of classifiers in Lithuanian Sign Language.Chapter 5 presents the empirical research and elicitation phases of this dissertation. The chapter introduces the methodology of this linguistic research, and in particular defines the fundamental questions underlying the PJM (Polish Sign Language) Corpus Project, which 2 inspired the study reported in this dissertation. For this research, two groups of deaf LGK users were asked to describe six comic stories. Chapters 6 and 7 analyze the empirical results of the study reported in this thesis. Firstly, chapter 6 discusses the use of classifiers as separate sentence segments. The investigation presents classifier handshapes divided into main classifier types: whole entity classifier, body classifier, bodypart classifier, handling classifier, and size and shape specifiers (static and tracing). Among these classifier types are described the handshapes that correspond with referents observed in participants’ storytelling. The chapter examines the syntactic features of classifiers with particular emphasis on the word order and sequences. The three main types of sequences observed within the elicited data are: cases in which the classifier follows the sign, the sign precedes the classifier, or the classifier appears alone without a sign. A number of sandwich verbs (consisting of classifiers) also occurred. By contrast, chapter 7 discusses the meaning of classifier predicates within a verb (classifiers that cannot be investigated as separate segments). The chapter examines the sequences of utterances that include classifier predicates which are preceded or followed by a lexical sign. It is shown that, in some cases, LGK transitive predicates consist of handling classifiers. However, in other cases, these constructions can also be considered locative.The chapter also presents linguistic expression within the spatial relationships between Figure and Ground (for the most part signers express the order as Ground-Figure). Furthermore, the analysis focuses on the body and non-manual elements. Overall, chapter 7 gives an overview of the signing perspective with particular attention to the projection of the classifier on the signing space (the external vantage point which results from the observer’s perspective and the internal vantage point which results from the character’s perspective). The concluding chapter (chapter 8) synthesizes the results of the analysis introduced in previous chapters and summarizes the theoretical contributions of the thesis. Some of the findings observed in the elicited data have been previously confirmed in literature, while other findings have not been noted until now. The dissertation presents a novel description of LGK classifiers systemizing handshapes and the various types of classifiers and their referents. It showcases the function of classifiers as separate language elements distinguished from lexical signs, while also underscoring the alignments between classifier verbs and lexical signs. Furthermore, chapter 8 summarizes the status of classifier predicates in relation to locative expressions and semantic relations between referents, non-manual elements, perspective, and simultaneity. 3 Overall, the data collected in this research and the pioneering analysis of that data emphasizes the necessity for further investigation of classifiers in Lithuanian Sign Language and other understudied sign languages.