Object and handling handshapes in 11 sign languages: towards a typology of the iconic use of the hands

Abstract This article looks at cross-linguistic variation in lexical iconicity, addressing the question of to what extent and how this is patterned. More than spoken languages, iconicity highly frequent lexicons sign languages. It also complex, that often multiple motivated components jointly shape an iconic lexeme. Recent typological research on languages finds tentative patterning a large number basic items, underlining once again significance for human language. The uncontested widespread use found enables us take into next level. Indeed, previous studies have shown in: a) embodying handling handshapes (mostly European origin) b) frequency space-based size depiction African two types may be interrelated, as depiction. In study, we first replicate earlier distribution handshapes, time data set consisting relatively ( n = 11), most which are used Africa. results confirm significant across these These findings then compared depiction, revealing patterns independently from embodying/handling handshapes. We argue call expanding representational strategies signs beyond now well studied instrument/manipulation alternation. Fine-grained analyses multitude features likely reveal tendencies SL lexicons.