Temporal AspectAlong with the timeline, which communicates tense, ASL communicates aspectual information about verbs, such as their length, frequency, and the signer's emotions or opinions related to the event. In this section, I will focus on the modulations of the movement and NMS parameters, and also discuss the subjective components of Temporal Aspect.
Cokely notes that: "There are other inflections for temporal aspect which occur in ASL, but are not described in this chapter due to insufficient information about them". Clearly, more research is required in this area of ASL. This section will discuss the four inflections in the green book: "continuously", "regularly", "long time", and "over and over". |
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Point 1: Movement
If a verb is done continuously, the movement is modulated to a small, quick circling motion. For example "to work for some time", "to write for some time", or "to explain for some time".
If a verb is done regularly, the movement is modulated to a small, quick, zig zag-ing motion. For example "to work a few times" "to write a few times" "to explain a few times".
If a verb is done for a long time, the movement is modulated to a wider, more elliptical shape. For example, "to work for a long time", "to write for a long time". The movement is typically slower as well.
If a verb is done over and over, the movement is long, with a repeated move-hold pattern. For example "to do work again and again", "to write again and again", "to explain again and again".
If a verb is done regularly, the movement is modulated to a small, quick, zig zag-ing motion. For example "to work a few times" "to write a few times" "to explain a few times".
If a verb is done for a long time, the movement is modulated to a wider, more elliptical shape. For example, "to work for a long time", "to write for a long time". The movement is typically slower as well.
If a verb is done over and over, the movement is long, with a repeated move-hold pattern. For example "to do work again and again", "to write again and again", "to explain again and again".
Point 2: NMS Agreement
The NMS for temporal aspect must agree with the movement parameter.
For actions done continuously or regularly inflection, the non-manual signal is "mm", signifying that the amount of action is expected or normal.
For actions done for a "long time", the "puff. cheeks" NMS is used, signifying that there is a great amount.
For actions done "over and over", the non-manual signal "intense" is used - signifying "too much".
For actions done continuously or regularly inflection, the non-manual signal is "mm", signifying that the amount of action is expected or normal.
For actions done for a "long time", the "puff. cheeks" NMS is used, signifying that there is a great amount.
For actions done "over and over", the non-manual signal "intense" is used - signifying "too much".
Point 3: Perception
It is important to recognize the role of perspective in temporal aspect. Regardless of whether a verb happens for an objectively short or long, the "long time" inflection is appropriate if it feels to the signer like the time was long. Working for only two minutes can still feel like it going for longer than it should, and so the "long time" inflection would be used. That is why perspective is important.
It's important to mention that the "long time" inflection carries a bit of a negative association - that the action went on for too long. "working for some time" can mean two hours, if the perspective of the signer is that the amount of time was appropriate, while the same amount of time - two hours, could be signed as "working for a long time", signifying that it felt longer than enjoyable. The same can be said of the inflections for "regularly" and "over and over again". It's all about perspective. "for example "I wake up every morning" is neutral, but "I have to wake up early again and again, ever morning!" carries a different connotation.
It's important to mention that the "long time" inflection carries a bit of a negative association - that the action went on for too long. "working for some time" can mean two hours, if the perspective of the signer is that the amount of time was appropriate, while the same amount of time - two hours, could be signed as "working for a long time", signifying that it felt longer than enjoyable. The same can be said of the inflections for "regularly" and "over and over again". It's all about perspective. "for example "I wake up every morning" is neutral, but "I have to wake up early again and again, ever morning!" carries a different connotation.