“Two hands are powerful”. Handedness variation and genre in New Zealand Sign Language

Abstract

The use of a lesser-used or minority language in new media is typically a stimulus for genre development and stylistic variation. This study considers online video texts in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) as a window on such variation and style change, specifically in handedness (whether signs are produced with one or both hands). Sign language research has previously identified that variation in sign handedness is patterned by phonological environment and as well as discourse context: reduction of a two-handed form by dropping the weak hand (WD) is associated with relaxed and spontaneous registers, while the addition of the weak hand to a one-handed sign (‘weak prop’ – asymmetrical, or symmetrical ‘doubling’) has been noted as a feature in performative genres such as poetry and public speaking. To explore whether handedness variation marks an emerging genre of online video posts in NZSL, and whether this may be part of a shift towards greater use of two-handed forms in NZSL, this study examines the distribution of variable features in a corpus of online posts, conversations and personal narratives, and compares usage in recordings made across 17 years. The effect of signers' sociolinguistic characteristics is also analysed. To explore the social meaning of this variation, metapragmatic insights sought from NZSL users about perceived stylistic effects of hand doubling in the data contribute qualitatively to an understanding of genre and style development.