Signs of Globalization: ASL Influence in the Lexicon of New Zealand Sign Language

Lexical variation and change is prevalent in the short history of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and in the current context of globalized flows of communication we observe growing use of ASL-concordant variants that land in New Zealand via other signed languages, online deaf media, and international interaction. Results from a variant-pair preference task show no significant effect of demographic characteristics on variant use, suggesting their use is not socially marked. We observe effects of lexical borrowing at the levels of phonology (e.g., handshape types), morphology (e.g., classifier handshapes, modified verbs) and discourse markers. In parallel with studies of Americanization in New Zealand English, we find that ASL-concordant variants in established use tend to be perceived as local in origin, and that new/traditional variants are not always seen as exact synonyms or replacements, but may be ascribed pragmatic, semantic, and stylistic distinctions. In this way, global features serve to elaborate local NZSL repertoires rather than being experienced as Americanization.