Formal variation in the Kata Kolok lexicon

Sign language lexicons incorporate phonological specifications. Evidence from emerging sign languages suggests that structure emerges gradually in a new language. In this study, we investigate variation the form of signs across 20 deaf adult signers Kata Kolok, emerged spontaneously Balinese village community. Combining methods previously used for comparisons, introduce numeric measure variation. Our nuanced yet comprehensive approach to integrates three levels (iconic motivation, surface realisation, feature differences) and allows refinement through weighting score by token signer frequency. We demonstrate appears different degrees at levels. Token frequency given dataset greatly affects how much can surface, suggesting caution interpreting previous findings. Different variants have scopes use among signing population, with some more widely than others. Both weightings (token signer) identify dominant variants, i.e., forms are produced frequently or many signers. argue does not equal absence conventionalisation. Indeed, especially micro-community languages, may be key understanding patterns emergence.Appendices:  https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/FN4XE