Signeeraussanaa

Signeeraussanaa is a term in sign-language linguistics for a word-like unit that functions as a single lexical item. It contrasts with sequences of signs that convey meaning through multiple tokens. A signeeraussanaa is typically realized by manual signs accompanied by facial expressions and body posture, and it can serve as a lexeme in a sentence.

The term appears to derive from Finnish roots: signeeraus meaning signing and sana meaning word. It is used in Finnish sign-language literature to describe sign-language words, but it is not universally standardized. Many researchers prefer terms such as lexical signs or sign-lexemes to describe the same phenomenon.

Linguistic properties include that signeeraussanaa can be monosyllabic or morphologically complex through sign-based processes like movement changes, handshape variation, or reduplication. Non-manual cues, such as eye gaze or brow raise, often convey grammatical information associated with the unit, influencing its role in a clause. Some sign languages exhibit compounding or affixation that creates signeeraussanaa from simpler signs, illustrating both lexical and morphosyntactic functions.

In theory, the concept helps compare sign-language lexicon with spoken lexemes and supports analyses of how signs function as words within syntax. Critics argue that the term risks conflating sign-language structure with spoken-language categories, so usage varies by theoretical orientation and community. When used, researchers should specify the criteria chosen to identify a signeeraussanaa in a given analysis.