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Lexical gaps... what do they mean?

In chapter 6, Fox gives an example of how sign language is a lot like spoken language in its flexibility and ability to grow, citing the existence of lexical gaps. Like it is often seen in spoken language, necessity is often the greatest force in the creation of new words. I find it particularity interesting to compare the example in the book of how the word home was created in sign language. The signs for eat and sleep (both activities that typically occur in the home) merged as one to mean home. There were no examples of how this happens in English and I am having a hard time thinking of my own even though I am certain that they are (besides notebook and roommate). Can you think of any words that were created out of necessity? Or any that are a conglomerate of words? In what ways does sign language's ability to grow and morph according to need validate it as a language?

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on March 16, 2008 12:01 AM.

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