SL-Video available in ÖGS (Austrian SL)
Asserting a clause means that somebody clarifies that a proposition is correct and true. In order to assert the proposition that “I am really 29 years old”, a signer produces head nodding movements which accompany the entire proposition. By this non-manual means the signer clarifies that the proposition is really correct and true. Other indicators used to assert a proposition are the signs YES, RIGHT, TRUE and CERTAIN.
According to the following contexts (context 1 – 5) the use of assertive head nods will be demonstrated.
SL-Video available in ÖGS (Austrian SL)
Context 1
Assertive head nods are used to clarify that a proposition within a signed utterance is really correct and true. This is shown by the following examples:
A person reports on the last meeting in the Deaf club and comments that really many people attended the meeting. By means of assertive head nods the signer clarifies that “really many people attended the meeting.” The asserted proposition (performed by the signs YES / TRUE MANY PEOPLE++ COME-TOGETHER YES+) is accompanied by nodding movements.
I have been employed by the company for twelve years. By means of assertive head nods the signer clarifies that “s/he has been employed by the company for twelve years. The asserted proposition (performed by the signs I ALREADY TWELVE YEAR COMPANY EMPLOY WORK / TRUE) is accompanied by nodding movements.
SL-Video available in ÖGS (Austrian SL)
Context 2
In order to approve a statement by the persons themselves who make the statement, particular signs can be accompanied by nodding movements. In particular with special utterances such as “I tell you”, “I recommend you”, or “I am certain that” the approval of the proposition is shown by nodding movements which accompany these statements. In doing so, a person recommends another person to attend a speech on the public pension scheme. “I recommend you” (performed by the signs YES I RECOMMEND) is accompanied by nodding movements.
SL-Video available in ÖGS (Austrian SL)
Context 3
In natural contexts like dialogues or monologues modal signs such as “can”, “must”, or “shall” are accompanied by assertive head nods. These nodding movements can be a single head nod or repeated head nods. This is shown by the following example which is performed twice, each time with the particular nodding pattern.
A person who is ill is recommended to see the doctor. The sign SHALL in the utterance “you should see the doctor” can either be accompanied by a single head nod or by repeated head nods. This implies different degrees of urgeny.
SL-Video available in ÖGS (Austrian SL)
Context 4
In conditionals (if-then-clauses) a single head nod can introduce a consecutive clause (starting with “then”) in Austrian Sign Language. In the example “if a hut is open, then I go in” a single head nod introduces the consecutive clause. The head nod is sufficient for introducing this clause, signs such as YES or THEN are not required. However, if the consecutive clause is negated (e.g. “If this person is present, then I do not go in.”), the consecutive clause cannot be introduced by a head nod. Negated clauses are accompanied by headshakes.
SL-Video available in ÖGS (Austrian SL)
Context 5
In order to focus on the content of a proposition, a particular construction is favored in ÖGS in which the focused information follows the proposition. A single head nod can introduce new and focused information. These constructions tend to occur in lectures, when new terminology, for example, is introduced. Frequently the signs CONTENT WHAT and MEAN WHAT, respectively, precede the focused information (or new terminology) which is introduced by the single head nod.
The following example will show this: “The Deaf theatre features the life of Helen.” (In the example a single head nod precedes the focused information which is the name. The produced signs are: IX DEAF THEATER CONTENT WHAT nod h-e-l-e-n k-e-l-l-e-r)
SL-Video available in ÖGS (Austrian SL)
Contrasting due to negative and positive evaluation
Consecutive clauses can bear a (semantic-logical) relation. One of these consecutive clauses can stimulate a negative estimation, while the other clause can stimulate a positive one. The positive estimation of one of the consecutive clauses can be caused by positive feelings or an advantage, while the negative estimation of the other clause can be caused by a negative feeling or a disadvantage.
Contrasting consecutive clauses can be expressed by non-manual means. Head nodding movements, which accompany one of the semantically related consecutive clauses, lead to a positive estimation. This is shown by the following example:
“I am at home, I feel bored and I do not know what to do. I could go to this party.” (The clause which is underlined is accompanied by head nods. These nods arise a positive estimation.)
Corpus analysis on ÖGS-video data show that a consecutive clause which stimulates a positive estimation can be accompanied by head nods, while the other consecutive clause which stimulates a negative estimation can be accompanied by headshakes. The order of the clauses stimulating the positive and negative estimation is not of importance. It can be both negative-positive and positive-negative, respectively. The following example shows the indication of both estimations.
“I am happy to be able to go to the Deaf club, but unfortunately nobody is there.” (The clause which is underlined is accompanied by head nods. These nods stimulate a positive estimation. The other clause is accompanied by headshakes. These headshakes stimulate a negative estimation.)
SL-Video available in ÖGS (Austrian SL)
Affirming and agreeing in dialogues
The signed dialogues show that the dialogue partners frequently show confirmation, approval, and agreement with the dialogue partner who holds the turn.
This affirmation is expressed, among other means, by constantly occurring head nodding movements.
The following example will show this behavior in dialogue settings. (The passages in the texts which are underlined are those which are accompanied by nodding movements.)
Person A: „Have you already seen in the newspaper that this actress is pregnant?”
Person B: „Yes, yes.“
Person A: „Oh.“
Person A: „My connection (computer) does not work anymore. I will go home.”
Person B: „Oh, I see.“
How do head nodding movements which serve to assert a proposition differ from nodding movements which show affirmation and agreement with a dialogue partner?
Assertive nodding movements are performed in a regular and uniform way. These are a single head nod or repeated nodding movements, which accompany a particular sign or an entire clause. For example, the sign CAN can be accompanied by a single head nod or by repeated nodding movements.
Nodding movements indicating affirmation strongly vary in their way of performance. They can be performed in a more or less uniform and regular motion. Depending on individual style and situational conditions, a single head nod or repeated nodding movements are produced to signal affirmation. These nodding movements also vary with regard to intensity.
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