A study of superordinates and hyponyms in Maltese sign language (LSM)

Abstract

This study is an investigation of classes of lexicalitems in Maltese Sign Language(LSM). Lexical items in LSM are analyzed to the different levels of generalization. The data takes includes LSM signs which have a specific meaning and LSM signs which have a more general meaning. The research involves an analysis of the structure (i.e. composition) of signs in LSM: single signs and complex signs expressions which function as single units. The study also points to various elements involved in the signing that are influenced by spoken Maltese. Five deaf Maltese people took part in the study. The participants were video recorded. They were presented with pictures intended to elicit lexical (naming)expressions in LSM. A hierarchy of entities was presented to the participants, starting from pictures of single entities to pictures of groups of a particular item or groups of a variety of items. The recordings of the participants are transcribed using ValerieSutton's (2006) signwriting system.