Time

1. Introduction
2. Basic axis
         a) Past
         b) Present
         c) Future
         d) Non-manual component
3. Anaphoric axis
4. Sequential axis
5. Other

3

Time expression in Catalan Sign Language is located in a number of temporal axes, according to the type of information to be conveyed. For the expression of chronological time, for instance, by which we place the sentence in the present, future or past, a basic axis is used starting behind the dominant shoulder of the signer and ending in the signing space in front of the signer. Along this axis, signs referring to the past are articulated over the shoulder, and signs relating to the future are signed within the space in front of the signer. See in the following examples the articulation site for the "year" sign referred to the past, present and future:

    "Two years ago I went to Greece on holiday."
    "This year I am going to buy a car."
    "Next year will be the year of the Olympic Games."