Yim-Binh, Sze. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 225-235). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgement / Abstract / Table of Contents / List of Tables / Chapter Chapter 1 --- : Introduction Page / Chapter (1.1) --- Research questions --- p.1 / Chapter (1.1.1) --- Space and spoken languages --- p.1 / Chapter (1.1.2) --- Space and sign languages --- p.4 / Chapter (1.1.3) --- Nominals in Hong Kong Sign Language --- p.8 / Chapter (1.1.4) --- Research focus: interaction of space and nominals --- p.11 / Chapter (1.2) --- Thesis outline --- p.12 / Chapter (1.3) --- A brief note on the transcription convention --- p.13 / Chapter (1.4) --- Sociolinguistic background of Hong Kong Sign Language --- p.15 / Chapter (1.5) --- Documentation of Hong Kong Sign Language and Chinese Sign Language --- p.17 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Space and Grammatical Relations / Chapter (2.0) --- Introduction --- p.21 / Chapter (2.1) --- On the grammatical relations 'subject' and 'object' --- p.21 / Chapter (2.2) --- Literature review --- p.28 / Chapter (2.2.1) --- Grammatical relations in American Sign Language (ASL) --- p.28 / Chapter (2.2.2) --- Grammatical relations in Chinese Sign Language (CSL) --- p.35 / Chapter (2.3) --- Experiment 1: Picture description and selection task --- p.36 / Chapter (2.4) --- Results: --- p.39 / Chapter (2.4.1) --- Non-reversible sentences --- p.39 / Chapter (2.4.2) --- Reversible sentences --- p.52 / Chapter (2.4.2.1) --- Linear representation: S V O --- p.52 / Chapter (2.4.2.2) --- "Spatial representation: the use of loci, inflecting verbs and classifiers" --- p.54 / Chapter (2.4.2.3) --- Reversible and non-reversible data: a further discussion --- p.64 / Chapter (2.4.3) --- An extension to dative constructions --- p.71 / Chapter (2.5) --- Chapter summary --- p.77 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Space and NP Referential Properties / Chapter (3.0) --- Introduction --- p.78 / Chapter (3.1) --- On the various referential properties --- p.78 / Chapter (3.2) --- Realization of referential properties in spoken and sign languages --- p.79 / Chapter (3.3) --- Specific NPs: indefinites and definites --- p.89 / Chapter (3.3.1) --- Experiment 2: picture story description and picture reordering --- p.89 / Chapter (3.3.2) --- NPs in subject positions --- p.90 / Chapter (3.3.2.1) --- Specific indefinites --- p.91 / Chapter (3.3.2.2) --- Specific definites --- p.96 / Chapter (3.3.3) --- NPs in object positions: specific indefinites and definites --- p.106 / Chapter (3.4) --- Non-specific indefinites and generics --- p.118 / Chapter (3.5) --- Chapter summary --- p.121 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Space and Referential Loci --- p.123 / Chapter (4.0) --- Introduction --- p.123 / Chapter (4.1) --- Literature review --- p.1 24 / Chapter (4.1.1) --- Frame of reference in sign languages --- p.1 24 / Chapter (4.1.2) --- Nature of space and loci --- p.129 / Chapter (4.1.3) --- Shift of loci/ frame of reference --- p.133 / Chapter (4.2) --- Observation of Hong Kong Sign Language --- p.138 / Chapter (4.2.1) --- Localization of referents in narrative discourse --- p.138 / Chapter (4.2.2) --- Shift of loci / frame of reference in HKSL --- p.150 / Chapter (4.2.2.1) --- Role-play/ locus shift in HKSL --- p.150 / Chapter (4.2.2.2) --- Three more types of locus shift --- p.153 / Chapter (a) --- Loci contrast exaggeration --- p.153 / Chapter (b) --- Shifted focalization --- p.157 / Chapter (c) --- Token-surrogate alternation --- p.162 / Chapter (4.3) --- Chapter summary --- p.170 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Suggestions for Future Research --- p.171 / Appendix 1: Notation conventions --- p.176 / Appendix 2: Picture stimuli for experiment1 --- p.179 / "Appendix 3: Topic, Comment and Topicalization in HKSL" --- p.181 / Appendix 4: Picture stimuli for experiment2 --- p.190 / Appendix 5: Illustrations --- p.203 / References --- p.225