A1 Journal article (refereed)
Cross-modal iconicity and indexicality in the production of lexical sensory and emotional signs in Finnish Sign Language (2023)

Keränen, J. (2023). Cross-modal iconicity and indexicality in the production of lexical sensory and emotional signs in Finnish Sign Language. Cognitive Linguistics, 34(3-4), 333-369. https://doi.org/10.1515/cog-2022-0070

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Keränen, Jarkko

Journal or series: Cognitive Linguistics

ISSN: 0936-5907

eISSN: 1613-3641

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 27/09/2023

Volume: 34

Issue number: 3-4

Pages range: 333-369

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH

Publication country: Germany

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/cog-2022-0070

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: Channel is not openly available

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/89323

Abstract

In the present study, cross-modal (i.e., across sensory modalities such as smell and sound) iconicity (i.e., resemblance) and indexicality (i.e., contiguity) in lexical sensory and emotional signs in Finnish Sign Language will be considered from an articulatory perspective (i.e., the production of signs). Such cross-modal iconicity has not been extensively studied previously, so here, with the help of cognitive semiotics, I aim to carefully describe the cross-modal patterns observed across 118 signs, including 60 sensory signs and 58 emotional signs. The analysis is framed within the theoretical model of Semiotic Hierarchy, which entails a non-reductionist view of meaning. In addition, a pheno-methodological triangulation will be applied: phenomenology (first-person method), literature of phenomenological and semiotic descriptions (second-person perspective) and experimental findings (third-person perspective). The results of this analysis show that (a) 71 of the 118 sensory and emotional signs are cross-modally indexical, (b) only 10 of the 71 signs can be regarded as cross-modally iconic, (c) cross-modal iconicity is highly diagrammatic, (d) iconicity and indexicality are highly integrated, and (e) articulatory feedback matters in the formation of semiotic patterns. This study contributes to our understanding of cross-modal iconicity in signed languages, as well as studies in semiotic systems more generally.

Keywords: signs (sign language); cognitive semantics; semiotics; sign language; Finnish Sign Language

Free keywords: cross-modal; iconicity; indexicality; cognitive semiotics; signed language

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Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 3