I denna studie undersöker jag hur hörande vuxna andraspråksinlärare (L2) använder och utvecklar perspektiv i tre olika kategorier: karaktärens, observatörens ochblandat perspektivi svenskt teckenspråk under en tidsperiod på ett år. Målgruppens resultat har jämförts med en kontrollgrupp bestående av döva förstaspråkstalare (L1). Resultatet visar att målgruppen från andra inspelningstillfället till fjärde inspelningstillfället har utvecklat flera perspektiv i alla kategorier. När det gäller språkliga likheter och skillnader mellan målgruppen och kontrollgruppen är en tydlig likhet att alla uttrycker sina imiterande gester på samma sätt. Resultatet visar också att flera informanter i målgruppen använder dubbla referenter i teckenrummet. Det kan bero på att de föredrar observatörperspektivet eftersom de har svårigheter med blandat perspektiv. Kontrollgruppen har istället betydligt högre andel blandat perspektiv än målgruppen. / In this study, I investigate how hearing adult second language (L2) learners use and develop perspective in the three different categories – character, observerand mixed perspective– in Swedish Sign Language over the course of one year. The results of the target group are compared to those of a control group consisting of deaf first language (L1) users. The results show that the target group, between the second and fourth recording session, has developed multiple perspectives in all categories. Furthermore, linguistic similarities and differences between target and control groups are investigated, one similarity being that all informants express imitating gestures in the same way. The results show that several informants in the target group use double referents in signing space. This may be a consequence of their preference for observer perspective, since they have difficulties with mixed perspectives. Conversely, the control group has a considerably higher percentage of mixed perspectives than the target group.

This thesis comprises four separate studies of the same material: a ten-minute Swedish Sign Language monologue. Study I describes the form, meaning, and use of the sign INDEX-c, a pointing toward the chest traditionally described as a first person pronoun. It is argued that INDEX-c is used not only with specific reference to the signer or a quoted signer, but also with non-specific reference. Contrary to what has been reported, INDEX-c is used not only for constructed dialogue, but also in constructed action. The analysis reveals two separate forms, as well, labeled as reduced INDEX-c and distinct INDEX-c, respectively. Study II describes the activities of the non-dominant hand when it is not part of a two-handed sign. A continuum is suggested, moving from different rest positions that do not contribute to the discourse content, via mirroring of the dominant hand, for example, to instances where the non-dominant hand produces signs of its own while the dominant hand remains inactive, i.e. dominance reversal. Several of the activities of the non-dominant hand, including the four types of buoys that are described, help structure the discourse by indicating the current topic. Study III uses Mental Space Theory and Conceptual Blending Theory to describe the use of signing space for reference. A correlation is shown between discourse content and the area in the signing space toward which signs are meaningfully directed, and also between these directions and which types of Real Space blends the signer mainly uses: token blends or surrogate blends. Finally Study IV looks in more detail at three segments of the discourse and their Real Space blend structure. An initial analysis of eight interpretations into spoken Swedish is also conducted, focusing on whether preselected content units (discourse entities and relations) are identified. A large number of Real Space blends and blended entities are argued to result in less successful renditions measured in terms of preselected content units. / För att köpa boken skicka en beställning till exp@ling.su.se/ To order the book send an e-mail to exp@ling.su.se