SASL Linguistic Annotation Shorthand (place names)

Our research project on place names in South African Sign Language (SASL) required the recording of these place-name signs in an Excel spreadsheet. This requirement originated from an overall goal to link variables to change and variation in SASL. To systematically analyse and describe signs (lexical units in signed languages), all parameters (foundational elements) have to be accounted for. This is done through notation systems. Most of the established notation systems make use of various symbols and graphics, which are not suitable for use in Excel spreadsheets (where we recorded our analyses) or for coding with ease. Therefore we developed a simple, straightforward annotation system that is suitable for adaptation to machine-readable formats.

In this dataset, we provide:

• A full description of our linguistic annotation shorthand (in MS Word as well as PDF), with all of its value sets, embedded with explanatory JPEG and GIF media files. The GIFS are not animated in the PDF file.
• A spreadsheet linking the value sets and associated media.
• The relevant media (JPEG and GIF).
• The readme file.

This dataset is conceived to be useful for linguists, computational linguists, and others interested in the development of signed languages, especially South African Sign Language, as well as those working in signed toponomastics (place name studies).

The recordings of the media were done with either Deaf signers who were duly compensated for their service according to University guidelines, or in a few cases, members of the research team. All signers agreed to the use of their recordings for research purposes and for publication on related platforms.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research is the product of a project, Advancing SASL for 4IR Technological Development using Place Names, funded by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (South Africa), April 2022 – June 2025. It is a collaborative project between the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies and the Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures, both at the University of the Free State (South Africa).

The following people made notable contributions to the sociolinguistic component of the project: Dr Chrismi Loth, Dr Patrick Sibanda, Dr Sara Siyavoshi, Jani de Lange, Prof Annalene van Staden, Emily Matabane, Susan Lombaard, Prof Theodorus du Plessis, Donovan Wright, Lucia Mamotete Mapeshoane, Kirsten de Villiers, Gloria Motshoeneng, Nhlanhla Simelane, Anele Kotoyi and Annemarie le Roux.

The following people made notable contributions to the computational component of the project: Dr Herkulaas Combrink, Charne Bornman, Nkateko Nkuna, Priscilla Keche, Taylon Colbert, Aviwe Matoti, Jarryd Trip, Valusha Oelofse and Molemo Dibe.

The National Institute for the Deaf (South Africa) is acknowledged for their support and their contribution of place-name signs.

We would like to express our gratitude to the participating Deaf communities for welcoming us into their spaces, for generously sharing their knowledge with us, and for graciously providing solutions and suggestions to improve our protocols.