Sign & Word Recognition: A First Comparison

The results of a word recognition study (Grosjean 1980) are compared to those of a sign recognition study (Grosjean, Teuber, & Lane 1978) in order to determine which aspects of lexical access are comparable in speech and sign and which are specific to each of the two language modalities. The recognition of a lexical item appears to involve two distinct stages in both modalities: the isolation of the item (word or sign) from other candidates; and after some further processing, the acceptance or recognition of the lexical item. Factors such as the frequency of occurrence of a lexical item play a role in both word and sign recognition, but others such as word length in speech and frequency of location in sign are specific to the modality of expression. In both modalities, however, the word recognition process is complex and is strewn with “garden paths.” The future of sign recognition research is discussed in light of these findings.