Prosody of a spoken language involves intonation, rhythm and stress. Sign languages are shaped by their manual/visual modality. It can be assumed that sign languages use a prosodic system that is different in its means of expression but similar in function to the prosodic systems for spoken languages. Prominence and focus are likely to be expressed through manipulation of the kinematic characteristics of the sign, as these provide the opportunity for gradient variation (scaling). Moreover, the identity of the sign remains relatively unchanged under these types of prosodic manipulation.
Fourteen fluent adult signers (native or early BSL signers) were asked to sign several short responses to questions, based on minimal pair pictures presented to them. The items were designed in such a way that the same signs occurred sometimes with and sometimes without prominence. Arm, trunk and head movements were recorded with five infra-red motion capture cameras (Qualisys) and with a digital video camera. Preliminary results of the 3D movement analysis will be presented, including results from a tau-analysis revealing the underlying control of intentional modulation of force and power.