Structure of Interrogative Sentences of Sri Lankan Sign language and Colloquial Sinhala language: A Comparative Study.

Abstract

This paper is based on the Syntax of Sri Lankan (SL) sign language and colloquial Sinhala language. SL sign language is used by SL deaf people. According to linguistic studies, it is accepted and investigated that Sign language is also a natural language. As a natural language, its structure can be studied on a linguistic base. This research is mainly concentrated on one of those structural aspects of SL sing language where interrogative sentences are studied. SL sign language is not linguistically studied well. If linguistic studies are conducted towards SL sign language, it would be more fruitful to enhance linguistic knowledge of SL sign language. The aim of this study is to conduct a syntactic research of SL sign language in comparison to Colloquial Sinhala language. This research will also analyse how the secularities of Interrogative Sentences of SL sign language are related to colloquial Sinhala language. Data were collected by interviewing hearing impaired people who could read Sinhala. In addition, they were given several sentences to interpret in Sign Language. More than three people were interviewed for one sentence. Sign language work books were used as primary resources. Finally, sentences are investigated with comparison to colloquial Sinhala language. As a result of this research, it can be identified and established that every types of interrogative sentences of SL sign language shows a similar order even though there are a number of types and structures of interrogative sentences of colloquial Sinhala language. In conclusion, it can be stated that the structure of interrogative sentences of SL sign language is not complicated.