Abstract:

In many descriptions of American Sign Language (ASL), signs like [breakfast] are identified as compounds. These signs were once formed with two separate signs but have since fused into a single unit. This article presents an alternative definition of compound that includes both functional and formal properties. Following this updated definition, examples of ASL compounds are constructions like [name sign] and [sign language], which combine two object-concept words to name an object concept, as well as related constructions like [formal room] 'living room,' which also label object concepts. The updated definition of compound allows for terminological consistency and sets the stage for fuller understanding of the variety of multisign units in ASL.

摘要：

在美国手语（ASL）的许多描述中，像[早餐]这样的符号被认为是复合词。这些标志曾经由两个独立的标志组成，但后来融合成一个整体。本文提出了化合物的另一种定义，包括功能和形式特性。遵循此更新的定义，ASL 复合词的示例包括 [姓名符号] 和 [手语] 等结构，它们结合两个对象概念词来命名一个对象概念，以及相关结构，例如 [正式房间]“客厅”、它还标记对象概念。更新后的复合定义可实现术语一致性，并为更全面地理解 ASL 中的各种多重符号单位奠定基础。