Discursive agreement in American Sign Language (ASL) is a key aspect of signed communication. It refers to the use of non-manual markers (NMMs) to indicate agreement or disagreement with a statement made by someone else. NMMs are facial expressions, head movements, and body language that work in tandem with the signs themselves to convey meaning.
Discursive agreement is important in ASL because it allows signed conversations to flow more naturally. Rather than interrupting the speaker to explicitly state agreement or disagreement, signers can use NMMs to signal their thoughts and feelings about what is being said. This can make signed communication more efficient and effective.
There are several types of NMMs that can be used for discursive agreement in ASL. The most common are head nods and shakes, which are similar to their counterparts in spoken language. A single nod of the head can indicate agreement, while a shake can indicate disagreement. However, NMMs in ASL can be more complex and nuanced than this.
For example, raised eyebrows can indicate surprise or disbelief, while furrowed brows can indicate confusion or uncertainty. Tilting the head can indicate interest or curiosity, while leaning back can indicate boredom or disinterest. Signers can also use eye gaze and facial expressions to signal agreement or disagreement.
One important thing to note about discursive agreement in ASL is that it is not always straightforward. Because NMMs can convey a wide range of emotions and attitudes, it can be difficult to determine what a signer is truly feeling. For example, a head nod might indicate agreement, or it might indicate politeness or encouragement. Similarly, a furrowed brow might indicate disagreement, or it might indicate confusion.
Another challenge with discursive agreement in ASL is that it can be culturally specific. Different sign language communities may use different NMMs to convey the same emotions or attitudes. For example, a head nod might indicate agreement in one community, while a head tilt might be used in another.
Overall, discursive agreement is an important aspect of signed communication in ASL. By using NMMs to signal agreement or disagreement, signers can make conversations more efficient and effective. However, it is important to recognize that NMMs can be complex and culturally specific, and that they can sometimes be difficult to interpret. As with any aspect of language, it takes practice and experience to fully master discursive agreement in ASL.