Keywords: phonology, phoneme
Sign Definition
Definition in Auslan
As a Noun
1. In spoken language, the study of the speech sounds used to make the words. In signed languages, the study of the handshapes, movements, locations, etc. used to make the signs. English = phonology.
2. The small units of sound that people make when they say words. For example, the word ‘cat’ is made up of three sounds—K-A-T. In signed language, the different parts of a sign, e.g., DRINK is made up of CUP-handshape, MOUTH-location, and TURN-WRIST-movement, all at the same time. English = phoneme.