Authentizitätsnormen: DGS-Hochsprachlichkeit neu konzeptualisiert

Abstract

Both in the academic literature as well in everyday life, the concepts “authenticity” and “norm” are used, but seldom explicitly defined. What is more, at first sight they might not even be regarded as linked. Synoptically considering the findings of three studies on various aspects of authenticity in relation to German Sign Language (Deutsche Gebärdensprache, DGS), the paper explores how both concepts are connected. It will be shown that there are a number of linguistic and para-linguistic features that are perceived as indexical of authentic signing by deaf DGS signers. Drawing on the conceptual distinction between “standard language” (Standardsprache) and “high language” (Hochsprache) introduced by Gloy (1993), it will be argued that whilst these DGS features can be ascribed normative character corresponding to “high language”, these are not to be confused with “standard DGS”. Apart from newly introducing the concept of “norms of authenticity” (Authentizitätsnormen) in DGS, the paper offers new perspectives in that it will be demonstrated on the basis of sign language data that “standard language” and “high language” may – but in no way necessarily have to – correspond to the same linguistic realizations.

The impact of verb type on word order in German Sign Language

“…Furthermore, politically motivated language planning activities in order to establish a standardization of DGS are usually regarded with skepticism by deaf signers since such attempts mainly fulfill needs of hearing sign language users (Eichmann 2009;Eichmann 2013). Although signers are confronted with a lack of standardization, they can identify several linguistic and paralinguistic parameters which they relate to authentic DGS signing such as the speed of signing, the size of signing vocabulary or the use of mimic expressions (Jaeger 2019). On the political level, sign languages have long been neglected and the use of signs has been oppressed and marginalized.…”