Table of contents

Abbreviations

1 Introduction

2 Methodology


Part I

3 Typological approach to the study of language

3.1 Typological classification

3.1.1 Cross-linguistic comparison

3.2 Typology and language universals

4 The noun phrase

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Grammatical categories for nouns

4.2.1 Number
4.2.2 Gender or noun class
4.2.3 Definiteness
4.2.4 Case

4.3. Relationships within the noun phrase

4.3.1 Head-initial languages vs. head-final languages
4.3.2 Head-marking languages vs. dependent-marking languages

5 What is sign language

5.1 Introduction

5.2 The structure of signs

5.2.1 A simultaneous model
5.2.2 A sequential model
5.2.3 Fingerspelling

5.3 Iconicity and arbitrariness of a sign

5.4 The use of signing space

5.4.1 Time relationships
5.4.2 The relationship between space and grammar

5.5 Sign language in Estonia


Part two: The noun phrase in Estonian Sign Language

6 Grammatical categories for ESL nouns

6.1 Number

6.1.1 Types of number marking
6.1.2 The locus of number marking
6.1.3 The position of the numeral and the quantifier vis-à-vis the head noun

6.2 Noun class

6.3 Definiteness

6.3.1 The position of INDEX vis-à-vis the head noun

6.4 Case

7 Possession in ESL noun phrases

7.1 Genitive/pronominal modifiers

7.2 Genitive/lexical modifiers

8 Adjectival modification in the ESL noun phrase

9 The order of (multiple) elements within the ESL noun phrase

10 Conclusion

11 Eestikeelne sisukokkuvõte

References

Footnotes