<OT> Cross-modality Structure-Preservation

[Dan Everett]

Folks,

Is anyone aware of examples of Structure Preservation in non-vocalic
modalities, e.g. sign languages?

I have been puzzling over how to analyze a certain exemplar of
Structure-Preservation. One way to analyze it would be in terms of a
highly-ranked constraint against the combination of certain distinctive
features. This is the standard way, I suppose, to get SP effects.
However, constraints against feature combinations are quite obviously
modality-dependent. If SP effects are also found in sign languages, it
would seem that such cases cannot result from constraints against
combinations of vocal-apparatus-based features. If sign language SP
constraints did indeed exist, they might support a more general theory
of SP based on modality-neutral/independent cognitive constraints and a
recognition that a particular modality-dependent SP constraint is but
the relevant local manifestation of a higher-level cognitive constraint.

But I have no idea whether SP effects have been found in sign languages
(or other modalities, e.g. drum languages, whistle speeches, etc.)

Any ideas or suggestions? If this is a question with an obvious answer
and a huge literature or well-known article, your patience is
appreciated. 

-- Dan

.........................
Dan Everett
Professor of Phonetics and Phonology
Department of Linguistics
Arts Building
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
M13 9PL
Manchester, UK
dan.everett@man.ac.uk 
Phone: 44-161-275-3158
Dept. Fax and Phone: 44-161-275-3187
http://lings.ln.man.ac.uk/info/staff/de