TOPICALIZATION

Many sentences in ASL are "topicalized" or in topic & comment grammatical structure.  This means a topic, an idea, a noun or a concept is determined first in the sentence, then the "comments" can be made about it.  Topicalized sentences often contain the following components:

Topic-comment sentences require use of non-manual signals:

·        The topic (with or without) phrase: raise eyebrows, tilt head & pause on the last sign

·        The comment phrase: adjust eyebrows, head head tilt, eye-gaze for statement, question, etc.

Topicalized sentences often contain the following components:

The Topic: One sign that identify the topic of the sentence.  This phrase often includes the pronoun or object of the sentence.

Example:    

BOOK, ME BUY    
(topic)

TOMORROW, ME MUST BUY BOOK FOR CLASS  
(topic)

  The Topic Phrase: One or more signs that identify the topic of the sentence.  This phrase often includes the object of the sentence.

Example:   

BOOK FOR CLASS,  TOMORROW ME BUY  
  (topic phrase)

Other topicalization sentences:

Time Indicators:  Signs used to determine the tense of the verb or in other words to identify when the event occurred.  Time indicators are placed at the beginning of either the topic phrase or the comment phrase.

Example:

TOMORROW ME MUST BUY BOOK FOR CLASS  
(topic)

BOOK FOR CLASS, TOMORROW  ME BUY MUST  
  (topic phrase)               (comment phrase)

The Comment:  The remaining sentence that describes or makes a commen about the topic.

Example:  BOOK ME BUY
                  (comment)

The Comment Phrase: One sign or several signs used to describe or comment upon the "topic". This sign/phrase often includes the verb of the sentence. NMGS for the comment phrase vary depending on whether it is a positive statement (head nod), a negative statement (head shake), a WH-Word question (eye-brows-lowered), a Yes/No Question (eye-brows-raised), etc.

Example:

BOOK FOR CLASS, TOMORROW ME BUY MUST  
                                          (comment phrase)

 
Modal Verbs: Signs used to provide additional information about the verb. They modulate the meaning/mood/feeling of the verb. Modals can occur in two locations in the sentence, (1) directly before the verb sign, or (2) more commonly directly before the final subject pronoun.

Example: 

BOOK FOR CLASS/ TOMORROW ME BUY MUST
                                                         (modal)

Subject Pronouns: These are the pronouns used to identify who is doing the action of the verb. There is no passive voice in ASL, so there is almost always a subject. The subject pronoun is placed in two locations in the sentence. Both, either, or neither of the subject pronouns are signed in a sentence depending on the context of the sentence itself. Mostly,  the final subject pronoun is signed (also called a copy-subject pronoun).  Very often, the first subject pronoun is signed as well. Occasionally, when the subject is assumed from context, neither of the pronouns are used.

                

Example: BOOK FOR CLASS/ TOMORROW ME BUY MUST ME
 

TOPICALIZED SENTENCES - PRACTICE SENTENCES

Using the English sentences below, create ASL topicalized sentences.

IMPORTANT:  Read the English, then think only about the concepts in ASL, and throw out the English!

Topic phrases  (1) require raised eyebrows,

                             (2) often starts with SEE or KNOW signs, and

                             (3) end with a slight hold or pause.

Comment phrases    (1) usually contain the verb sign, and

                                      (2) make a comment about the topic.

Easy Sentences

                  Group A                                             Group B

1.         My shoes are red.                               1.        Their chairs are 
                                                                                                  brown.

2.         That paper is yellow.                           2.         Her cup is broken.

3.         The apple is sweet.                              3.         The coffee is black.

4.         My watch is slow.                                 4.         My car is pink.

5.         His earring is gold.                              5.          I am a man.

Harder Sentences

1.  I have 5 brown chairs.                       1.  The broken cup is orange.

2.  The woman with 4 gold earrings is French.   2.  My 2 apples are
                  different. 

3.  I remember your red purse.             3.  Those three apples are red.

4.  The french man drinks lattes.          4.  I know that English teacher.

5.  I see the black dog.                            5.  I am enrolled in three classes.

Sentences Using Classifiers: Pronominal, Descriptive, Limb

1.  The 2 green candy sticks are side by side.           

2.  My house has an A-frame shape.

3. The clock on the wall is slighty askew.                    

4. The blue dish is upside down.

5.  My books are piled one upon the other.                  

6.  The man is tip-toeing.

7.  Two students are sitting facing each other                  

8. The girl's dog's ears are pointing up.

9. .The small white box's lid is open.                             

10.  Five pennies are lined up on their sides.

Sentences Using Pronominal Classifiers as Locatives

(clue:  In  these sentences there are 2 topic phrases and one comment (verb) phrase.)

Group A

1.      My brown books are on the seat of the pink chair.

2.      My yellow car is next to John's purple house.

3.      The four black buttons are behind the blue cup.

Group B

1.      The book on the table is mine.

2.      The blue car broadsided the red car.

3.      The woman's purse is under her chair.