Temporal Aspect. Chapter 13
Shenk, C., & Cokely, D. (1991). Temporal Aspect. In American Sign Language: A Teacher's Resource Text on Grammar and Culture. Washington, D.C.: Clerc Books, Gallaudet University Press.
Temporal aspect in ASL refers to a verb is expressed over time. This is shown through four different time frames: duration, repetition, duration over a long time, and repetition with more emphasis. While the first two do not convey an opinion about the verb or its occurrence, the latter two convey an opinion which is usually that the action is too much, or that the subject is annoyed by its occurrence.
Duration implies that the action is regular and continuous, and uses a repeated and circular motion. For example, continually writing my book. Repetition conveys that the action is done consistently, very often, and with focused intention. This inflection is expressed with small straight line repeated, yet relaxed movements. For example, practicing the piano very frequently. These two temporal aspects do not imply any opinion. Duration over a long time is to express that the action is over a prolonged period of time, and the sign is made slower and larger, in an oval shaped movement. This movement is accompanied by a facial expression that conveys the opinion of the intended length of activity. For example, reading chapter after chapter after chapter for school. Repetition with more emphasis is used to convey the action over a prolonged period of time with much more focus and intention. The action is made by a tense straight line movement with a brief hold, and then thrust down into an arc movement returning to the initial starting point. This action is also accompanied by a facial expression to convey the opinion of the length and focus of the activity. For example, typing a paper for an extended amount of time. The second two temporal aspects can imply the opinion of the action being too much or that the subject is annoyed.
Due to the overlap of temporal aspect with pluralization as well as the chapter about time, I feel that my education on this topic has been very thorough. I am fairly confident in my ability to produce temporal aspect in each separate time frame, in conjunction with the facial expression and implied opinion.
Duration implies that the action is regular and continuous, and uses a repeated and circular motion. For example, continually writing my book. Repetition conveys that the action is done consistently, very often, and with focused intention. This inflection is expressed with small straight line repeated, yet relaxed movements. For example, practicing the piano very frequently. These two temporal aspects do not imply any opinion. Duration over a long time is to express that the action is over a prolonged period of time, and the sign is made slower and larger, in an oval shaped movement. This movement is accompanied by a facial expression that conveys the opinion of the intended length of activity. For example, reading chapter after chapter after chapter for school. Repetition with more emphasis is used to convey the action over a prolonged period of time with much more focus and intention. The action is made by a tense straight line movement with a brief hold, and then thrust down into an arc movement returning to the initial starting point. This action is also accompanied by a facial expression to convey the opinion of the length and focus of the activity. For example, typing a paper for an extended amount of time. The second two temporal aspects can imply the opinion of the action being too much or that the subject is annoyed.
Due to the overlap of temporal aspect with pluralization as well as the chapter about time, I feel that my education on this topic has been very thorough. I am fairly confident in my ability to produce temporal aspect in each separate time frame, in conjunction with the facial expression and implied opinion.