Hwangbo, Hyun Jin and Youngju Choi. 2022. Morpho-phonological investigation of compounds in Korean Sign Language. Studies in Phonetics, Phonology and Morphology 28.1. 169-198. It is well-known that compounding in sign languages shows various phonological processes such as reduction, assimilation, and deletion. Sandler and Lillo-Martin (2006) argue that compounding shows phonological processes or special rhythmical patterns (weak-strong pattern) such as losing repetition of the first sign in monosyllabic or disyllabic compounds in American Sign Language, using the Hand Tier Model. Phonological processes have been reported in various sign languages, such as Sign Languages of the Netherlands and Australian Sign Language as well. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that compounding in Korean Sign Language (KSL) has the same weak-strong pattern in compounding as other sign languages. Several KSL compounds are examined, and the results show that KSL compounds reduce repetition of the first sign, supporting the weak-strong pattern. (Chosun University, Research fellow and Professor)

Keywords: Korean Sign Language (KSL), phonology, compounding, stress, reduction

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