手语情态动词研究

On Modal Verbs in Sign Language

本文在梳理分析手语情态动词定义和分类,以及相关实例研究的基础上,指出情态动词的产生和演变主要有两条语法化路径:一是从手语中某个自主实词转变为稳固的情态标记;二是从手势进入手语系统。本文还初步分析了中国手语中表示可能性的两个词语,研究结果显示,中国手语情态动词同样遵循上述两条路径。

This study, based on an analysis of the definitions and classitications of modal verbs m sign lan- guage, as well as related case study, reveals that the evolution of medal verbs in sign language falls into two grmmnaticalized paths： First, changing from a notional word in sign language into a steady medal verb; second, gaining access to the system of sign language from gestures. Also, this study analyzes two words indicating possi- bility in Chinese sign language, and the findings show that the modal verbs in Chinese sign language also follow the said two paths.