Signata (Oct 2018)
Systèmes graphématiques et écritures des langues signées
Abstract
Over the last few decades, various writing systems for sign languages (SLs) have been developed in a context where vocal languages (VLs) obviously prevail. In fact, VLs are characterized by a switch of modality between writing and speaking, while SLs present a brand new situation with the possibility of sharing modalities. Indeed, in the act of speaking and writing, SLs use similar modalities (upper body limbs movement) and reception (vision). This unprecedented situation of shared visuo-gestural modalities allows writing and speaking to meet in a form of cohabitation, sharing semiotic features. Scripturality may emerge from the formal (highly graphical in many situations) and gestural dimensions that are inherent to oral expression in SLs. The goal of this article is to establish an approach that links visuo-gestual modalities. On one hand, this approach is founded in ‘orality,’ i.e., in gesture; on the other hand, this approach is rooted in the act of drawing (tracing) as a link between language and writing. Similarly to the way SLs are able to assign meaning to movements, the meaning represented in the marks intended to be read can be back-traced to the body in action. To consider the scriptural experience in this way resonates with the cognitive theory of enaction (Varela et al., 1991) and, more broadly, with the hypotheses of embodied cognition.First we will present the three main notation systems that are used—almost exclusively—among researchers in linguistics studies of SLs. We will discuss their specific characteristics: the visual principles on which they are built in regard to their legibility, and also their ability to be written and used (focusing on the principle of linearity found in other writing systems). In the second part, we will explore in detail some issues of writing SLs such as: how can we articulate the modalities of the act of writing with the semiotic modalities of language itself? What are the analogies available to build a glyphic system? Can the act of tracing and the trace itself boost new semiotic relations in the writing of SLs? In the third part, we will look at some theoretical aspects of existing writing systems and put them into the perspective of the writing of SLs. Finally, this matter will be dealt with through the presentation of Typannot, a notation system on which we are currently working. We will focus on describing the graphematic and typographic principles of this new system. Several conceptual levels are envisioned in order to justify the coupling between technical aspects and writing/tracing activity, with the goal of obtaining a system aimed at: readability, modularity, writability and searchability. These criteria are an attempt to translate concepts of writing systems in VLs for specific issues related to the visual and gestural modalities of SLs.
Keywords
