Argument Structure and Word Order in Saudi Sign Language

This study focuses on the description of argument structure and word order in Saudi Sign language (SSL). The nature syntactic level grammar SSL is clarified. Since often considered most important part grammar, this details various options that are available for major constituents (Subject, Verb, Object) independent any connection to spoken Arabic syntax. In SSL, like other languages, arguments kind verb can impact order. To investigate which based Chomsky’s (1995) Minimalist Program (MP), data were collected through derivation from narratives (semi-naturalistic-corpus) an experiment (picture-description task). research involved a sample 10 deaf signing participants who all fluent SSL. All have lived Arabia at least years. Results indicate as natural Arabia. common declaratives basic constituent SVO. As virtually sign Wh-elements occur end clause. According interaction between grammatical use facial expressions head locations (nonmanual marking), nonmanual markings pragmatic purposes may functions.