Mapping the body to the discourse hierarchy in sign language emergence

Abstract A common feature of discourse coherence is hierarchical organization: more generally, central relations (characterizing the overall topic or goal) dominate complementary modifying relations. In this hierarchy, higher levels tend to be marked by stronger prosodic cues than lower levels. This study seeks understand how such a system emerges in human communication – what present at outset, and takes time develop. Specifically, we investigate whether conceptualization organization precedes overt linguistic structuring, distinct types strengths marking different can discerned process emergence. The only empirical evidence for an investigation comes from sign languages, because they arise de novo any time. Sign languages offer additional advantage directly linking instantiations structure articulations visually perceived bodily articulators. Our young language, Israeli Language (ISL), finds that conceptual structuring arises very early. However, articulators linguistically mark information emerge: Younger ISL signers use smaller, less salient hierarchy compared older signers.