Agent-backgrounding in Catalan Sign Language (LSC)

Barberà, Gemma; Cabredo Hofherr, Patricia; Quer, Josep, 1965-

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1075/sll.00023.bar

Agent-backgrounding in Catalan Sign Language (LSC)

Citation

Barberà G, Cabredo P, Quer J. Agent-backgrounding in Catalan Sign Language (LSC). Sign Lang Linguist. 2018 Dec;21(2):334-49. DOI: 10.1075/sll.00023.bar

Abstract

This paper examines backgrounding strategies for human agents in Catalan Sign Language, that is, constructions featuring human agents that are non-referential. We identify and analyze four types of agent-backgrounding strategies: subjectless constructions, indefinite pronouns, the impersonal axis, and general nouns. Extending on previous work, we offer a description and a semantico-pragmatic analysis of each construction.