Original scientific paper
Word Orders in Croatian Sign Language
Marina Milković
Sandra Bradarić Jončić
Abstract
The aim of this research was to determine the basic word order, and factors which influence alternative word orders in
Croatian Sign Language (HZJ). Also, the interaction of the word order and grammatical usage of nonmanual marking were
investigated. The data analyses indicate that the basic word order in HZJ is the same one as in spoken Craotian – SVO. HZJ word
order can be influenced by the nature of arguments, by verb type, and spatial relationship of the arguments, as well as contrastive
focus. Also, it depends on the information status, just like in other sign languages. Nonmanual markings have pragmatic roles,
and could also have syntatic function. This research it was found that HZJ has grammatical rules of its own according to which
the words are arranged into sentences. These rules differ from those used in spoken Croatian. Results of this investigation may
contribute to sign language teaching practice, as well as to creating prerequisites for bilingual education for deaf children in
Croatia.
Keywords
sign language; word order; reversibility; verb type; theme; rheme; contrastive focus
Hrčak ID:
16739
URI
Publication date:
1.10.2006.
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