Types

a.) CERTAIN

Assessing a proposition as very likely

A proposition – expressed within a hypothetical line of thoughts – is assessed as very likely due to the speaker’s/signer’s knowledge and/or past experiences.

Assessing a proposition in ÖGS as very likely can be expressed by the following non-manual means:

• Head nods performed in a convinced way
• Pushing the lips forward, frequently co-occurring with head nods described above
• Furrowing the eyebrows, frequently co-occurring with head nods described above

In order to assess a proposition - expressed within a hypothetical line of thoughts - as very likely, the proposition is constantly accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above.

The following examples are given to illustrate this type of epistemic modality:

1. I have known a particular person from former times who often played tennis. Based on this knowledge I am sure that this person can play tennis. (The statement that “this person can play tennis” [performed by the signs IX-Person PLAY-TENNIS IX-Person] is accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above.)
2. I know a particular person whose parents are Deaf. Based on this knowledge I am sure that this persons can sign. (The statement that “the person can sign” [performed by the signs IX-Person SIGN IX-Person] is accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above.)
3. When hiking in summer time, normally the Alpine inn is open. Based on this knowledge – that the Alpine inn is very likely open - I am sure that I will get something to eat and drink etc. at the Alpine inn. (The statement that “the Alpine inn is open” [performed by the signs I KNOW IX-alpine-inn OPPEN] is accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above.)
4. My son usually comes home from school at lunch time and rings the doorbell. The doorbell rings and it is lunch time. Based on my knowledge, I am sure that it is my son who rings at the doorbell. (The statement that “it is my son” [performed by the signs MY SON] is accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above.)

b.) Believe-no

Assessing a proposition as very unlikely.
A proposition – expressed within a hypothetical line of thoughts – is assessed as very unlikely due to the speaker’s/signer’s knowledge and/or past experiences.
Assessing a proposition in ÖGS as very unlikely can be expressed by the following non-manual means:

• Headshakes performed in a tentative way
• Wrinkling the nose, frequently co-occurring with headshakes described above
• Furrowing the eyebrows, frequently co-occurring with headshakes described above
• Pushing the head backward, frequently co-occurring with headshakes described above
• Squinting the eyes, again and again co-occurring

In order to assess a proposition - expressed within a hypothetical line of thoughts - as very unlikely, the proposition is constantly accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above.

The following examples are given to illustrate this type of epistemic modality:

1. I wonder whether a person is good at playing tennis. I suppose that this is rather not the case.
2. When hiking in spring time, normally the Alpine inn is closed. I am wondering whether the Alpine inn is open or closed and conclude that this is rather not the case.
3. My son usually comes home from school at lunch time and rings the doorbell. The doorbell rings too early. Based on my knowledge, I am sure that it is very unlikely my son who rings at the doorbell. Probably it is the postman. (The statement that “it is very unlikely my son” [performed by the signs MY SON] is accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above.)

c.) UNCERTAIN

Evaluating a proposition in a deliberate, insecure, or doubtful way.
A proposition – expressed within a hypothetical line of thoughts – is evaluated in a deliberate, insecure, or doubtful way due to the speaker’s/signer’s knowledge and/or past experiences.
For one thing, the evaluation about the vagueness can be done in a more neutral way in the sense of “I consider the one or other option as possible.” For another thing, the evaluation about the vagueness can convey a negative connotation in the sense of “I doubt that one of the options (i.e. the more positive connoted option) will be the case.”

Evaluating a proposition in a deliberate, insecure, or doubtful way can be expressed by the following non-manual means:

• Swaying the body from side to side
• Lowering the corners of the mouth, frequently co-occurring with the body sways
• Squinting the eyes, co-occurring in half of all propositions evaluated in in a deliberate, insecure, or doubtful way
• Wrinkling the nose, co-occurring in half of all propositions evaluated in in a deliberate, insecure, or doubtful way
• Furrowing the eyebrows, co-occurring in half of all propositions evaluated in in a deliberate, insecure, or doubtful way

In order to evaluate a proposition - expressed within a hypothetical line of thoughts - in a deliberate, insecure, or doubtful way, the proposition is constantly accompanied by body sways. Lowering the corners of the moth briefly occurs in the beginning of the proposition or this mouth gesture accompanies the entire proposition. The other nonmanuals listed above (squinting the eyes, wrinkling the nose, and furrowing the eyebrows) also can accompany the entire proposition which is evaluated in a deliberate, insecure, or doubtful way.

The following examples are given to illustrate this type of epistemic modality:

1. I am doubtful (weight up) whether the Alpine inn is open or closed. (The entire statement is accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above.)
2. I am doubtful (weight up) whether many people will attend the course. (The entire statement is accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above.)
3. When hiking in summer time, normally the Alpine inn is open. But the weather is not that clear. Thus, I am doubtful (weight up) whether it will be open or closed. (The statement that “somebody is doubtful (weight up) whether it will be open or closed“ is accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above.)
4. I notice that it is already later than 6 pm in the evening. I am doubtful (weight up) whether the shop still is open so that I can go shopping.

d.) WORRY

Expressing concern/worry about a proposition
A proposition – expressed within a hypothetical line of thoughts – is evaluated with concern/worry due to the speaker’s/signer’s knowledge and/or past experiences. This evaluation occurs in particular contexts.

Displaying concern/worry about a proposition can be expressed by the following non-manual means:

• Trembling movements of the head
• Tensed upper part of the body
• Lowering the corners of the mouth, co-occurring in half of all propositions evaluated with concern/worry
• Frequently occurring of the sign HOPE when evaluating a proposition with concern/worry

In order to evaluate a proposition - expressed within a hypothetical line of thoughts – with concern/worry, the proposition is constantly accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above.

The following examples are given to illustrate this type of epistemic modality:

1. Being mother, I watch the ski race of my son. I am concerned, I worry, and I weight up, whether he hopefully will be fast. (The statement that “the mother is concerned, worries, and weights up, whether her son will hopefully be fast” is accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above. Also this statement is accompanied by body sways.)
2. I worry, hope, and doubt that that nothing will happen. (The entire proposition is accompanied by the nonmanuals listed above. Also this statement is accompanied by body sways.)