Abstract illustration of hands signing with expressive facial expressions and colorful shapes, symbolizing nonmanual signals in sign language.

Unspoken Connections: Decoding the Power of Nonmanual Signals in Sign Language

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Reese Marlowe in Culture & Society June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore the nuanced world of nonmanual signals in sign language and how they shape meaning and communication beyond spoken words."


Sign language is often perceived as a direct translation of spoken language, yet it is a rich and complex system with its own grammar and nuances. While manual signs—the handshapes and movements—are the most visible component, they are only part of the story. Nonmanual signals (NMS), which include facial expressions, head movements, and body posture, play a crucial role in conveying meaning, emotion, and grammatical structure.

In a review of "Nonmanuals in Sign Language," edited by Annika Herrmann and Markus Steinbach, Martha E. Tyrone highlights the significance of these often-overlooked elements. The collection of papers explores various sign languages, including American Sign Language (ASL), Turkish Sign Language (TID), Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL), German Sign Language (DGS), and British Sign Language (BSL), revealing the universality and diversity of nonmanual signals.

Understanding nonmanual signals is essential for anyone seeking a deeper appreciation of sign language. These signals are not mere embellishments; they are integral to the structure and meaning of signed communication, adding layers of complexity that spoken language often fails to capture.

The Multifaceted World of Nonmanual Signals

Abstract illustration of hands signing with expressive facial expressions and colorful shapes, symbolizing nonmanual signals in sign language.

Nonmanual signals encompass a broad range of expressive and grammatical features. Facial expressions, such as raised eyebrows, furrowed brows, and mouth morphemes (specific mouth shapes), can indicate questions, negation, emphasis, or emotional states. Head movements, including nods, shakes, and tilts, can mark sentence boundaries, indicate agreement or disagreement, or provide additional contextual information. Body posture and eye gaze also contribute to the overall meaning of a signed message.

One of the key themes explored in the reviewed collection is the multifunctionality of nonmanual signals. A single facial expression or head movement can convey multiple meanings depending on the context. For example, raised eyebrows in ASL can indicate a question, surprise, or topic marker. Similarly, a headshake can signify negation or disagreement. This multifunctionality requires signers and interpreters to be highly attuned to the subtle cues and nuances of nonmanual signals.

  • Facial expressions add emotional context and grammatical markers.
  • Head movements indicate sentence structure and agreement.
  • Body posture enhances the overall message and intent.
  • Eye gaze directs attention and provides additional information.
The research also delves into the origins and development of nonmanual signals. Some NMS may evolve from natural, nonlinguistic gestures, gradually becoming conventionalized and integrated into the grammar of sign language. This process, known as grammaticalization, highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of sign languages. Understanding these historical and developmental aspects provides valuable insights into the structure and function of nonmanual signals.

The Future of Sign Language Research

As research into sign language continues to evolve, a deeper understanding of nonmanual signals will be crucial. By recognizing the complexities and nuances of these signals, linguists, educators, and interpreters can enhance their ability to accurately and effectively communicate with and support the deaf community. The ongoing exploration of nonmanual signals promises to unlock new insights into the cognitive and linguistic foundations of sign language, enriching our appreciation of this vibrant and expressive form of communication.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1353/sls.2014.0006, Alternate LINK

Title: Nonmanuals In Sign Language Ed. By Annika Herrmann, Markus Steinbach

Subject: Linguistics and Language

Journal: Sign Language Studies

Publisher: Project Muse

Authors: Martha E. Tyrone

Published: 2014-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

What are nonmanual signals in sign language, and what role do they play in communication?

Nonmanual signals in sign language encompass a range of expressive and grammatical features beyond handshapes and movements. Facial expressions communicate emotion and grammatical markers, head movements indicate sentence structure and agreement, body posture enhances the overall message, and eye gaze directs attention. They add layers of complexity that spoken language often misses and are crucial for conveying meaning, emotion, and grammatical structure.

2

Which sign languages are studied to understand the diversity of nonmanual signals?

The collection of papers explores various sign languages, including American Sign Language (ASL), Turkish Sign Language (TID), Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL), German Sign Language (DGS), and British Sign Language (BSL), revealing the universality and diversity of nonmanual signals.

3

What does it mean that nonmanual signals have multifunctionality, and how does this affect interpretation?

Nonmanual signals exhibit multifunctionality, where a single signal conveys multiple meanings depending on the context. Raised eyebrows in ASL can indicate a question, surprise, or topic marker, while a headshake can signify negation or disagreement. This demands keen attention to subtle cues from signers and interpreters.

4

Can you explain the concept of grammaticalization in the context of nonmanual signals?

Grammaticalization is the process where nonmanual signals evolve from natural gestures into conventionalized grammar within sign language. This evolution demonstrates the dynamic nature of sign languages and offers insight into the structure and function of nonmanual signals over time. Understanding this historical development clarifies how certain nonmanual behaviors have become integral to the language.

5

What are the future implications of researching nonmanual signals in sign language, and what areas still need exploration?

Deeper research into nonmanual signals promises to unlock new insights into the cognitive and linguistic foundations of sign language. This will enhance the ability of linguists, educators, and interpreters to communicate effectively with the deaf community. Further exploration will enrich our understanding of this vibrant form of communication, though areas such as specific variations across regional dialects and the impact of technology on NMS usage remain to be explored.

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