Affirmation, negation and imperative

1. Affirmation
         a) Without specific non-manual marking
         b) Affirmative headnod
         c) Affirmative signs
2. Negation
         a) Headshake
         b) Headshake and negative sign
                   b.1 Sentence negation
                   b.2 Signs incorporating negation
3. Imperative
         a) Basic form
         b) Alternative forms for command expression

 

 

 

In sign language, the negation of a sentence can be expressed in different ways. One way is by means of a headshake movement (negation movement), compulsory in all negative sentences. It's a non-manual marker that can last for the duration of the sentence, a part of it only, or can occur just at the end in order to negate the whole sentence. This negation marker may appear with the verb, and also accompanying a noun or an adjective.

    "This week I'm not working because the company is closing."
    "My neighbours don't eat pork because they are muslims."
    "This proposal is not very clear."
    "He's not a physician, he's a nurse."