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Kvalitetna zdravstvena zaštita, informiranost i edukacija o zdravlju i kvaliteti života, dio je ostvarenja osnovnih ljudskih potreba i prava, a temeljena je na adekvatnoj komunikaciji. Od najranije dobi, kad se oslanjamo na vlastiti govor te kad se očekuje samostalnost u obavljanju osnovnih aktivnosti, usvajamo obrazac pri rješavanju aktualnih zdravstvenih i drugih poteškoća. Postavljanje točne dijagnoze te put do rješavanja zdravstvenog problema otežan je ukoliko zdravstveni djelatnik od pacijenta ne dobiva potrebne informacije. Ovaj problem umanjuje i povjerenje u odnosu pacijent – zdravstveni djelatnik, a poznato je kako je upravo povjerenje važno u suradnji na projektu zvanom „očuvanje zdravlja“. S problematikom komunikacijske barijere pri ostvarivanju zdravstvene zaštite u Hrvatskoj susreću se i gluhe te gluhoslijepe osobe. Jezik je plod kulture te je tako i kultura gluhih i gluhoslijepih iznjedrila vlastiti – znakovni jezik. Kako ne postoji jedinstven govorni jezik, tako i svaka nacija gluhih ima vlastiti znakovni jezik. Neadekvatna edukacija zdravstvenog osoblja o hrvatskom znakovnom jeziku kao materinjem jeziku gluhih i gluhoslijepih u Republici Hrvatskoj, te o drugim primjerenim načinima komunikacije s osobama oštećenog audio – vizualnog sustava, doprinosi površnoj zdravstvenoj obradi i posljedično socijalnoj izolaciji ove skupine Hrvatskih državljana. Premda prema zakonskoj regulativi (Zakon o zdravstvenoj zaštiti, Zakon o zaštiti prava pacijenata, Konvencija Ujedinjenih naroda o pravima osoba s invaliditetom) gluhi i gluhoslijepi imaju pravo na jednaku kvalitetu zdravstvene skrbi kao i čujuće osobe, praksa pokazuje drugačiju stvarnost. Gluhe i gluhoslijepe osobe ostaju oni o kojima nitko ne brine jer ne zna kako. Ono što čujućoj osobi izgleda kao napredak i olakšanje u tehničkom dijelu bolničkog sustava – obavijesti, edukativni materijali, infrastruktura, osvjetljenje, komunikacijski kanali (Internet, telefon...), gluhoj i gluhoslijepoj osobi može biti problem i uteg. No uz malo dobre volje, truda i zalaganja i ova barijera može biti uklonjena, a kvaliteta života jedne, ne tako male, skupine uvelike unaprijeđena., Quality health care, information and education on health, and quality of life are part of the realization of basic human needs and rights and are altogether based on adequate communication. From an early age, when we rely on our own speech and when we are expected to be independent in performing our basic activities, we adopt a model to deal with various health and other difficulties. Making the right diagnosis and solving a health problem is difficult if the healthcare provider does not receive the necessary information from the patient. This problem also diminishes the trust in the patient - health care professional relationship, and it is well known that mutual trust is important while cooperating on a project called "health preservation". Deaf and deaf-blind people are also faced with the problem of communication barrier in achieving health care in Croatia. Language is the product of culture, and so the culture of the deaf and deaf-blind has introduced its own sign language. As there is no unique spoken language, deaf people of every nation have its own sign language. Inadequate education of health personnel on the subject of the Croatian sign language as the mother tongue of the deaf and deaf - blind in the Republic of Croatia, as well as on other appropriate ways of communication with persons with impaired audio - visual system, contributes to the superficial health treatment and consequently social isolation of this group of Croatian citizens. Although, by law (Health Care Act, Patient Rights Protection Act, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), deaf and deaf-blind people are entitled to the same quality of care as hearing persons, the practice shows a different reality. Deaf and deaf-blind people remain those no one cares about because they do not know how. What appears to the hearing person to be progress and relief in the technical part of the hospital system - notifications, educational materials, infrastructure, lighting, communication channels (Internet, telephone ...), to the deaf and deafblind person can be a problem and a barrier. However, with some goodwill, effort and dedication, this barrier can be removed, and the quality of life of one, not so small group, greatly improved.

Preuzimanje uloga (PU) u znakovnim jezicima definira se kao diskursna strategija u kojoj znakovatelj koristi dijelove tijela kako bi prenio radnje, iskaze, misli, osjećaje i/ili stavove osobe na koju se referira. U znakovnim jezicima ova je pojava opširno istražena. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je opisati PU u pripovijedanju u hrvatskom znakovnom jeziku (HZJ) i usporediti dobivene podatke s postojećim podacima o istoj temi dobivenim istraživanjima drugih znakovnih jezika. Pitalo se postoji li PU u pripovijedanju u HZJ te, ako postoji, za što se i na koji način uloge preuzimaju. Za potrebe ovog istraživanja u programu ELAN analizirano je šest snimaka prepričavanja elicitiranih dvama isječcima iz američkog crtića The Simpsons. Od tri ispitanika koja su sudjelovala u istraživanju svaki je prepričao dva različita videozapisa. Podaci dobiveni analizom snimaka obrađeni su primjenom deskriptivnih metoda. Rezultati pokazuju da u HZJ znakovatelji doista preuzimaju uloge u pripovijedanju. U ovom su ih istraživanju preuzeli za prikaz radnji, emocija, misli i iskaza ispitanika. Pritom je primijećena usklađenost ispitanika u korištenju PU za prikaz istih situacija tijekom pripovijedanja. Za PU ispitanici su koristili sve bilježene nemanualne oznake: usmjerenje pogleda (eyegaze), glavu, lice, torzo i ruke. Nemanualna oznaka koja je korištena u svim PU bila je usmjerenje pogleda, a druge su se oznake koristile za preuzimanje 87 do 97 posto uloga. Navedeni rezultati u skladu su sa saznanjima o PU u drugim znakovnim jezicima, a slaganje je najočitije u svrsi i načinu preuzimanja uloge. Ovo istraživanje pridonosi lingvističkom opisu HZJ, potvrđuje složenost njegove jezične strukture te otvaranjem novih pitanja potiče na daljnje istraživanje jezika. Također, saznanja iz ovog istraživanja primijenjiva su u poučavanju HZJ kao drugog jezika te ukazuju na važnost uključivanja HZJ kao prirodnog jezika u (re)habilitaciju i obrazovanje gluhih osoba., Constructed action (CA) is a discourse strategy in sign languages in which signers use parts of their body to depicit actions, utterances, thoughts, feelings and/or attitudes of a referent. This strategy has been well researched among the sign languages. The aim of this research was to describe CA during narration in croatian sign language (HZJ) and to compare the obtained data with the data available from previous sign language research. Question was whether CA exists in HZJ, and, if it does, how and why do signers take on roles of the referents. For the purpose of this study, six recordings elicitated by two clips of an american cartoon 'The Simpsons' were analysed using ELAN software. Three participants took part in this study and each of them retold two different stories. Acquired data was then analysed using descriptive methods. Results show that signers do take on roles during storytelling in HZJ. In this reseach signers used CA to depicit actions, emotions, thoughts and utterances of the cartoon characters. In doing so, the three signers very often took on roles to show the happenings of the same scenes. For the display of CA signers used all of the recorded nonmanual markers: eyegaze, head, face, torso and arms. Non-manual marker that was used in all retellings by all participants was eyegaze, while the other non-manual markers appeared active in 87 to 97 percent of roles taken. Listed results match with the prior discoveries on CA in sign languages. The biggest similarities were noticed in the purpose of using CA and the manner in which the roles are taken on. This research contributes to the linguistic description of HZJ, confirms the complex linguistic structure of the language and, by raising new questions, encourages new research. New knowledge gained by this research can be applied in teaching HZJ as a second language. Furthermore, the new discoveries obtained by this research show the importance of using sign language in (re)habilitation and education of deaf people.

Danas u nastavnom procesu možemo uočiti razne metode poučavanja inih jezika koje se već godinama razvijaju, kako za učenike u ranom učenju tako i za starije učenike. Jedna od tih metoda je i metoda Total Physical Response. U ovom radu bavimo se analizom relevantne literature kojom dolazimo do informacija kojima je cilj upoznati čitatelja s ovom metodom, njenim razvojem do danas te načinom upotrebe u nastavi. Uz metodu Total Physical Response u radu se spominje i hrvatski znakovni jezik. Cilj ovog rada bio je povezati geste i pokrete iz hrvatskog znakovnog jezika s metodom Total Physical Response, čija je glavna karakteristika upravo fizički pokret. To je postignuto analizom udžbenika za prva dva razreda osnovnih škola, esktrahiranjem odgovarajućeg vokabulara te prikazom istog fotografijama, uz pomoć literature za hrvatski znakovni jezik. Upotreba ove metode kod učenika podiže motivaciju za učenjem, kao i samu dinamiku nastavnog procesa, a upotreba hrvatskog znakovnog jezika to bi mogla samo još više izraziti. In the process of teaching second languages different teaching methods have been developed for young as well as older learners. One of these methods is the method called Total Physical Response (TPR). Relevant literature was used to explain the method to the reader, its goal, development, and the way it is used in classrooms. Besides the TPR method, which uses movement as its main feature, Croatian sign language is another important topic of this thesis. Consequently, the thesis aims to make a connection between gestures and movement of the Croatian sign language and the TPR method. By analyzing textbooks for Grades 1 and 2 of primary school and extracting TPRable vocabulary, we set to accomplish the objectives of this paper. The vocabulary suggested for teaching via TPR and signs from the Croatian sign language are presented in the practical part. The application of TPR method in the teaching of foreign languages is recognized as an important factor of increase in student motivation as well as a positive influence on class dynamics. Therefore, it is believed that the Croatian sign language used with the TPR method could boost its positive effect.

Svjetska zdravstvena organizacija (WHO) proglasila je 11. ožujka 2020. godine globalnu pandemiju bolesti COVID-19 i vlasti brojnih država uvele su obvezu nošenja zaštitnih maski u javnim prostorima. Usprkos brojnim smetnjama koje su maske svima uzrokovale u komunikaciji, najviše su negativno pogodile korisnike znakovnog jezika s oštećenjem sluha budući da su onemogućavale čitanje s usana. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je pružiti uvid u iskustva i probleme s kojima su se korisnici hrvatskog znakovnog jezika iz Dalmacije u dobi od 40 do 70 godina susretali u svojoj svakodnevnici. Provedena su dva partnerska intervjua i jedan samostalni s korisnicima u prisustvu prevoditelja te jedan telefonski intervju s voditeljicom dalmatinske udruge gluhih i nagluhih osoba. Rad se oslanjao na teoriju jezičnih politika Bernarda Spolskog koja je pomogla razumjeti pojedinačne odluke koje su donosili korisnici hrvatskog znakovnog jezika u komunikaciji na temelju obrazaca koji su određeni pravilima. Korisnici su se pri komunikaciji s čujućim osobama uz nošenje maski služili brojnim metodama, od korištenja papirnatih i digitalnih fizičkih pomagala do angažiranja bliskih osoba za pomoć u posredovanju komunikaciji. Ponukani brojnim negativnim iskustvima u komunikaciji tijekom pandemije s čujućim osobama, korisnici su naglasili potrebu omogućavanja stručne pomoći korisnicima hrvatskog znakovnog jezika u komunikacijskim susretima s čujućim osobama, najprije u zdravstvenim i ostalim javnim ustanovama. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the authorities of numerous countries introduced mandatory protective masks in public spaces. Despite numerous communication problems that the masks caused to everyone, they most negatively affected sign language users with hearing impairment since they made it impossible to read lips. The goal of this research was to provide an insight into the experiences and problems that users of Croatian sign language from Dalmatia between the ages of 40 and 70 encountered in their daily lives. Two partner interviews and one independent interview were conducted with users in the presence of a translator, and one telephone interview with the head of one of the Dalmatian associations of deaf and hard of hearing people. The research was grounded in Bernard Spolsky's theory of language policy which helped to understand individual decisions made by users of Croatian sign language in communication based on patterns governed by rules. When communicating with hearing people while wearing masks users used numerous methods, from using paper and digital physical aids to hiring close people to help mediate communication. Prompted by numerous negative experiences in communication with hearing people during the pandemic, users emphasized the need to provide professional assistance to users of Croatian sign language in communication encounters with hearing persons, mostly in health and other public institutions.

Raspoznavanje gesta znakovnoga jezika veoma je kompleksan problem koji se prvotno temelji na kvalitetnoj procjeni poze. U ovom su radu dane teorijske osnove znakovnoga jezika (u čemu su puno pomogli članovi Hrvatskog saveza gluhih i nagluhih) te strojnog i dubokog učenja te je napravljena usporedba raznih alata procjene poze, od kojih se MediaPipe biblioteka najviše istaknula svojom robusnošcu i radom u stvarnom vremenu. Razvijen je sustav za izgradnju podatkovnoga skupa, treniranje sustava te testiranje preko racunalnoga programa i preko web sučelja. Recognizing sign language gestures is a very complex problem, which is initially based on a quality pose estimation. This thesis presents the theoretical foundations of sign language (where members of the Croatian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing helped a lot), machine and deep learning, and a comparison of various pose estimation tools, of which MediaPipe stood out for its robustness and real-time work. A system for building a dataset, system training and testing via a computer program and via a web interface has been developed.

Jednoručna abeceda hrvatskog znakovnog jezika sastoji se od slova sa statičnim i dinamičnim pokretima. Prvi korak u izradi bio je osmišljavanje početnog skupa podataka, odnosno koordinata. Zatim je klasifikacija navedenih znakova implementirana metodama strojnog učenja, točnije, modelom neuronske mreže i metodama radnog okvira MediaPipe Hands za izdvajanje ruke na ulaznim slikama kamere i ocrtavanje glavnih točaka dlana. Poseban naglasak stavljen je na analizu koordinata za prepoznavanje znakova s dinamičnim pokretom, koji, u početnom trenutku, najčešće nalikuju nekom od slova sa statičnim pokretom iz kojih su se prepoznavali. Svrha razvoja aplikacije bila je premostiti jezičnu barijeru s kojom se osobe s oštećenjima sluha svakodnevno susreću i time unaprijediti opcije pristupačnosti. The single-handed alphabet of Croatian sign language consists of letters with static and dynamic movements. The first step in the development was to design the initial set of data, ie coordinates. Then the classification of these signs was implemented by machine learning methods, more precisely, the neural network model and the frameworks methods MediaPipe Hands to separate the hand on the camera input images and delineate the main points of the palm. Special emphasis was placed on the analysis of coordinates for recognizing signs with dynamic movement, which, at the initial moment, most often resemble one of the letters with static movement from which they were recognized. The purpose of the application development was to bridge the language barrier that people with hearing impairments face on a daily basis and thus improve accessibility options.

Hearing impairment compromises or prevents verbal communication, which is why hearing impaired people use the various available communication modalities available and their combinations, depending on the extent of the consequences of hearing impairment, and for the purpose of communicating as effectively as possible Objective: to register the differences in communication modalities between prelingually and postlingually deaf people. Methods: The study was conducted on a sample of two groups (prelingually and postlingually deaf persons) from a total of 50 deaf subjects of both sexes. The data were collected through an anonymous questionnaire structured from closed- ended questions, after which they were statistically processed in the SPSS computer program using appropriate statistical methods. Results: showed the most common use of a combination of sign language, lipreading and speech with a predominant use of sign language in the prelingually deaf, and the advantage of interpreter assistance over other available aids and technology. Conclusion: Different approaches to communicating with deaf people are necessary to make their communication with the environment accessible and effective, and the most important thing is to ensure that a sufficient number of sign language interpreters are available.

The aim of this paper is to present a review of the nonmanual markers (NMMs) found in various studies of Croatian Sign Langauge (HZJ), as well as to compare them to other sign languages. We will address different functions of NMMs in HZJ with a focus on their functions atlinguistic levels. At the phonological level, NMMs will be discussed with respect to head and body movements, mouth actions, and facial expressions. At the morphological level, NMMs will be discussed in relation to their function for verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and pronouns. At the syntactic level, NMMs will be discussed with respect to their functionality as markers of such things as negation, agreement, interrogatives, and conditionals, while NMMs that appear with topic and focus will be discussed in the section on pragmatics. Finally, we provide table summary for NMMs from this paper with their associated functions, as well as suggestions for further research., Keywords: Croatian Sign Language, linguistics, non-manual markers, Grazer Linguistische Studien 93 (Frühjahr 2021); S. 137–159

Imperativ (lat. impero - zapovjediti) glagolski je način, kojim se, osim zapovijedi, izriču različiti govorni činovi: objašnjenje, dopuštenje, savjet, poziv, uputa, itd. Od ostalih se glagolskih načina može razlikovati na temelju suprasegmentnih (prozodijskih), morfoloških i sintaktičkih obilježja. Imperativ je opisan u mnogim govornim jezicima, a istraživanja imperativa u znakovnim jezicima tek su u začetku. Cilj ovoga rada bio je utvrditi postoji li imperativ u hrvatskom znakovnom jeziku (HZJ), ako da, opisati različite vrste imperativa u HZJ, kao i njihove osobitosti i strukturna obilježja. Za potrebe ovog istraživanja konstruiran je ispitni materijal koji se sastojao od dva zadatka. Čestice u zadacima sastojale su se od znakova iz HZJ prezentiranih videom, a cilj im je bio izazvati proizvodnju različitih vrsta imperativa. Prikupljeni podaci analizirani su primjenom deskriptivnih statističkih metoda. Rezultati pokazuju da HZJ izražava različite vrste imperativa i to različitim jezičnim sredstvima: nemanualne oznake, manualne oznake i variranje reda riječi. Mrštenje obrva i naginjanje tijela prema naprijed najčešće su korištene nemanualne oznake, dok se manualno imperativi označavaju varijacijama u trajanju pokreta i oštrim načinom izvođenja pokreta. Govorni činovi koji se u HZJ mogu ostvariti različitim vrstama imperativa, mogu se izraziti i drugim jezičnim sredstvima i to primarno modalnim i performativnim glagolima te prilozima. Ovo istraživanje daje doprinos opisu gramatike HZJ, kojom se potvrđuje složenost ovog jezičnog sustava. Također, rad potiče na daljnja istraživanja HZJ, doprinosi poučavanju HZJ kao drugog jezika te promiče važnost primjene i ulogu HZJ u odgoju, obrazovanju i (re)habilitaciji Gluhih., Imperative mood (lat. impero – to command) is a grammatical mood used to express commands as well as other speech acts such as: explanation, permission, advice, invitation, direction, etc. It can be distinguished from other grammatical moods based on suprasegmental (prosodic), morphological, and syntactic markers. So far, imperative mood is described in many spoken languages, but research on sign language imperatives are only starting to emerge. The aim of this research was to determine is there imperative mood in Croatian Sign Language (HZJ), if so, to describe different types of imperatives in HZJ, as well as its’ characteristics and structural features. For the purpose of this study, research material consisted of two tasks was created. Each item in a task contained HZJ signs presented in a video form, with a goal to elicit production of different imperative types. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The results show that HZJ expresses imperative mood by using nonmanual markers, manual markers as well as word order variation. By using different features, HZJ can express different imperative types. Furrowed brows and body lean forward are most frequently used nonmanuals, while manual markers used in imperatives are variations in sing duration and sharpness of movement. Speech act that can be expressed in HZJ by using different type of imperatives can also use different language means, such means primarily being modal and performative verbs as well as adverbs. This paper contributes to the description of HZJ grammar as it confirms the complexity of this language system. Also, the paper motivates future research of HZJ, it contributes to teaching HZJ as a second language, and encourages the importance of its application, and role in Deaf education.

Modalnost (lat. modus - način) je lingvistički pojam kojim se izražava aspekt ilokucije koji se obično odnosi na govornikov stav prema nekoj tvrdnji. Modalnost se proučavala u raznim govornim i znakovanim jezicima. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je opisati pet modalnih kategorija (epistemička, aletička, deontička, volicijska i dinamička modalnost) u hrvatskom znakovnom jeziku (HZJ). Za potrebe ovog istraživanja, analiziran je video materijal prikupljen u svrhu usporedbe HZJ i američkog znakovnog jezika (ASL) te njemačkog znakovnog jezika (DGS). Analizom podataka utvrđeno je kako se u HZJ epistemička i aletička modalnost izražavaju strategijom slojevanja, tj. istodobnom produkcijom manualnih znakova i nemanualnih oznaka s glave i lica. Deontička, volicijska i dinamička modalnost u HZJ izražavaju se strategijom ulančavanja manualnih modalnih glagola. Doprinos ovog istraživanja jest opis složene gramatike HZJ, koja je neovisna o hrvatskom govornom jeziku, te ima svoju primjenu u odgoju, obrazovanju i rehabilitaciji gluhe djece, kao i poučavanju HZJ kao drugog jezika., Modality (lat. modus) is a lingustic term that is used to express the illocutionary act which usually refers to the subject's attitude towards the statement. Modality was the topic of many different researches, in spoken and in sign languages. The aim of this research was to describe five modal categories (epistemic, alethic, deontic, volition and root modality) in Croatian Sign Language (HZJ). In this research, video data, that was priorly filmed and collected for the purpose of comparison of HZJ, American Sign Language (ASL) and German Sign Language (DGS), was anaylized. The anaylisis confirmed that for HZJ epistemic and alethic modality are expressed by way of layering strategy, i.e. by simultaneous production of manual signs along with nonmanual markers. Deontic modality, volition and root modality in HZJ are expressed by way of manual modal verbs concatenation. This paper contributes to the description of HZJ grammar, which is complex and independent of the Croatian language grammar. Apart from the linguistic contributon, this research can find its applicaiton in upbringing, education and rehabilitation of deaf childredn as well as in teaching HZJ as a second lanuage.

Jezici izumiru onda kada se broj govornika smanjuje, kada jezici nisu dokumentirani i ne prenose se na nove generacije, kada manjina koja govori taj jezik nije čvrsta i povezana i ne njeguje svoj jezik pa postepeno preuzima jezik dominantne zajednice. Iz istih, ali i brojnih drugih razloga i znakovnim jezicima prijeti izumiranje, a nikako ne pomaže činjenica da u većini zemalja nisu ni prepoznati kao pravi, prirodni jezici. Osim što su ugroženi znakovni jezici, ugrožena je kultura i zajednica Gluhih. Glavni trendovi koji su trenutno na sceni u većini zemalja, pa tako i Hrvatskoj, su medicinska dostignuća (kohlearni implantati i genetski inženjering), manjak škola za gluhe i naglasak na inkluzivnom obrazovanju (oralizam i pitanje socijalnog identiteta) te pojava društvenih mreža s kojima nastaje „virtualna zajednica Gluhih“. Sve su to čimbenici koji bi mogli prouzročiti da znakovni jezici u, ne tako dalekoj, budućnosti izumru. Ovaj rad želi dati potencijalne odgovore o tome kakav je status zajednice Gluhih u suvremenom dobu, općenito u svijetu, a onda i u Hrvatskoj; kako suvremeni društveni trendovi (medicina, obrazovanje i društvene mreže) utječu na (hrvatski) znakovni jezik; ugrožavaju li zajednicu Gluhih i utječu li na izumiranje znakovnog jezika., There are many variables that can lead to language extinction, such as language dependency on population, the ease of documentation, the ability for language to be transmitted to the next generations, having the minority that speaks that language perserve its coherence and nurture it. Without these factors the population of the minority language tend to adopt the language of the dominant group. For the same, and many other reasons sign languages are also very close to becoming extinct. It doesn't quite help that in many countries sign languages are not recognized to be as true and natural as spoken languages. It's not only that these sign languages are endangered, but the Deaf Culture and its community is actively shrinking. The main trends that are current in many countries, as well as in Croatia, are medical advancements (cochlear implants and genetic engeneering), lack of schools for the deaf and the emphasis on inclusive education (oralism and the matter of social identity) and the emergence of social networks creating a „virtual Deaf Community“. These are some of the factors that could cause the exctinction of sing languages in the not so distant future. This paper aims to answer some questions about the status of the Deaf Community in a modern era, not only in the world, but in Croatia as well; how do contemporary social trends (medicine, education and social network) affect (Croatian) Sign Language; is the Deaf Community in danger and losing its language to the point that it becomes extinct.

After more than 15 years of research, progress has been made to define the grammar of Croatian Sign Language (HZJ), that is, understand the features defining its manuals, as well as nonmanual components. Linguistically significant nonmanuals are distinguished from affective nonmanual markers (e.g. disgust, disbelief or surprise), which are used by signers just as they are used by speakers. Differentiating between the two types of markers is not always straightforward, but there are certain distinguishing criteria. The scope and the timing of linguistic nonmanual is constrained relative to the manual sign(s) they accompany in a way that affective markers are not (Pfau & ; Quer, 2010). The aim of this paper is not just to describe the repertoire of nonmanuals found in HZJ. Rather, we present similarities, and differences between sign languages, with a focus on HZJ. The data comes from the HZJ Corpus, collected at the Sign Language and Deaf Culture Research Laboratory, at Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb. We will address various grammatical functions of nonmanual markers in HZJ. Nonmanuals are grouped together according to their role at different linguistic levels ; phonological, morphological, syntactic, and pragmatic. As for the phonological level, Šarac Kuhn, Alibašić Ciciliani and Wilbur (2006) provide an inventory of nonmanual characteristics, asserting that they do not contribute to the formation of every sign but are still considered to be a separate phonological characteristic, and organized them into eight groups: mouth shape, eyegaze, position of eyebrows, blink, head movements, head nods and head shakes, body movement (shift), and body lean. Those nonmanuals are further described according to their role in HZJ as follows: in interrogatives (Šarac Kuhn & ; Wilbur, 2006) ; in negation (Hrastinski, 2010) ; in licensing word orders (Milković, Bradarić-Jončić & ; Wilbur, 2006) ; in topics (Slamić, 2015) ; in pronouns (Alibašić Ciciliani & ; Wilbur, 2006) ; in adjectives (Korunek, Milković & ; Wilbur, 2013) ; in adverbials (Mikšić, 2014) ; in aspectual marking (Dukić, Milković & ; Wilbur, 2010), and more. Although much work remains to be done in identifying, and analyzing relevant nonmanual markers, we claim that they are an essential part of HZJ grammar. According to Pfau & ; Quer (2010), in natural signed discourse, nonmanual markers are all over the place.

Slaganje je morfološki proces (Plag, 2003) veoma raširen i produktivan među znakovnim jezicima (Meir, 2012). Spajanjem više postojećih riječi iz jezika nastaje nova riječ – složenica koja svoj konačan oblik dobiva procesima reorganizacije i restrukturiranja (Meir, 2012). Razlikuje se od fraze po vremenu trajanja i specifičnim strukturalnim obilježjima (Klima i Bellugi, 1979). Obzirom da u HZJ-u do sada još nisu opisane, cilj ovog rada bio je utvrditi postoje li složenice u HZJ-u, uočiti kako se razlikuju od sintagmi, te opisati njihovu strukturu. U istraživanju su sudjelovale tri odrasle gluhe osobe. Ispitni materijal činila su četiri zadatka koja su uključivala složenice prezentirane riječima i slikom, te parove rečenica sa složenicama i sintagmama. Cilj je bio izazvati proizvodnju složenica unutar i izvan rečeničnog konteksta. Podaci su obrađeni deskriptivnom analizom oslanjajući se na obilježja strukture složenica drugih znakovnih jezika. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju na to kako su složenice dio HZJ-a. Osim toga, pokazalo se da se složenice i sintagme u HZJ-u razlikuju po parametru trajanja. Strukturalna obilježja složenica u HZJ-u pokazala su sličnosti s drugim znakovnim jezicima: ritmičku kompresiju, promjenu pokreta, širenje obilježja s jednog znaka na drugi, konstantnost dominantne ruke i pojavu prijelaznog pokreta. Ovo istraživanje doprinosi opisu gramatike HZJ-a kroz opis strukturalnih obilježja složenica HZJ-a. Uočene sustavnosti potvrđuju gramatičnost HZJ-a koji se otkriva kao kompleksni jezični sustav., Compounding is a morphological process (Plug, 2003), which is very extensive and productive among the sign languages (Meir, 2012). Combining a several words from a language results in the emergence of a new word – a compound, whose final form emerges by processes of reorganization and restructuring (Meir, 2012). Compound is different from the phrase by duration parameter and specific structural features (Klima and Bellugi, 1979). So far, compounds are not described in HZJ. The goal was to determine whether there are compound in HZJ, spot how they differ from the phrases, and describe their structure. Three deaf adults participated in the study. The test material consisted four tasks which included compounds presented in words, image, and the pairs of sentences with compounds and phrases. The goal was to induce the production of compounds inside and outside of the context of the sentence. Data were analysed by means of descriptive analysis, relying on structural features of compounds from other sign languages. The obtained results show that in general, compounds are part of HZJ. It was shown that compound and phrases in HZJ differ according to the duration parameter. The structural characteristics of the compounds in HZJ showed similarities with other sign languages: the change of the movement, the spread of characteristics from one sign to another, the constancy of the dominant hand and the emergence of the transitional movement. This research contributes to HZJ grammar description through description of structural characteristics of compounds. Observed regularity confirm grammaticality ofHZJ which is confirmed as a complex linguistic system.

This paper reports on a collaborative project in progress to develop first Croatian Sign Language (HZJ) assessment materials for use with deaf children. The HZJ assessment materials being developed at Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, are the result of collaboration between a speech and language therapist who is a specialist within the field of deafness, an expert in HZJ and sign linguistics with considerable experience of working with deaf people, and two native deaf signers. The current lack of any Croatian Sign Language (HZJ) tests provided a motivation for development of initial HZJ assessment materials. For purposes of the research study (Hrastinski, 2014) concerning evaluation of language and literacy skills of deaf monolingual (Croatian) and bilingual (Croatian and HZJ) students, we created receptive HZJ grammar and narrative assessment tasks. Specifically, two grammar tests, one originally evaluating sign language skills, and the other spoken language were adapted into HZJ. An adaptation of British Sign Language Receptive Skills Test (BSL RST ; Herman, Holmes & Woll, 1999), and a Croatian version of TROG-2 (TROG-2:HR ; Bishop, Kuvač Kraljević, Hržica, Kovačević & Kologranić Belić, 2003) was carried out. Additionally, HZJ narrative comprehension was assessed by short stories and corresponding questions, created by the authors. BSL RST has already been adapted for several other sign languages (Haug & Mann, 2008). Translation and adaptation of this test to HZJ has been performed following the guidelines presented in Enns and Herman’s study (2011) on the process of ASL adaptation of BSL RST. This paper will present several phases of this adaptation, including initial consultation with HZJ linguists and adult native HZJ signers, determining appropriateness of direct translation of each BSL structure in HZJ, effectiveness of existing distracter pictures, the need for adding new test items reflecting HZJ constructions as well as modification or replacement of inadequate pictures. Finally, recording of the new test video materials in HZJ was carried out. Future activities will include piloting of the modified HZJ test and examining the effectiveness of the new items to determine the existence of floor and ceiling effects and to assess developmental order of item difficulty. A similar process has been followed for adaptation of Croatian version of TROG-2, however, differences were noted due to modality incompatibility. This paper will present current and planned activities and findings according to the phases.

Assuming no prior grammatical knowledge, this presentation explains and illustrates the major concepts, categories, and terminology involved in the study of word order in sign languages, particularly Croatian Sign Language (HZJ). It is well-documented that sign languages have their own grammars, which may differ from the surrounding spoken languages. The basic word order in many sign languages happens to be the same as that in the surrounding spoken language, but sign languages have additional possible word orderings (Fischer 1975 ; Volterra et al. 1984 ; Bergman & Wallin 1985 ; Sutton-Spence & Woll 1998 ; Leeson 2001 ; inter alia). Word order can be defined as a set of rules based on which words, or constituents, are organized in sentences. Basic word order is pragmatically neutral or unmarked, declarative, the most frequent word order, out of context, with a predicate and two nominal arguments. In HZJ, basic word order is subject-verb-object (SVO), while other languages may have SOV or VSO as a basic word order. On account of methodology in sign language studies, basic word order is usually elicited with describing pictures in isolation. For example, HZJ sentence in (1) demonstrates basic, SVO, word order. (1) M-A-R-K-O VOLJETI A-N-A Marko love Ana “Marko loves Ana.” Apart from basic word order, there are alternative word orders influenced by several factors, that is, reversibility of arguments, type of verb, locative sentence, contrastive focus, and context. For example, sentence in (2) is SOV, as one argument is inanimate, and only one interpretation on agent/patient roles is possible. In sentence with reversible arguments, SVO order is preferred. (2) ŽENA KNJIGA ČITATI woman book read “The woman is reading the book.” Word order can also be influenced by type of verb used in a sentence. If the verb is plain, then the preferred word order is SVO, while non-plain verbs use SOV, and SVOV order. Regarding SVOV word order, two types are possible in HZJ. One is verb echo where two verbs are uninflected. In another type the second verb is inflected for iterative, or continuous aspect (3). (3) ČOVJEK PRATI AUTO PRATI++ man wash car wash++ “The man is washing the car (for a long time)”. Furthermore, SV word order is possible in isolated sentences if they contain classifier predicates, as the handshape of the classifier shows the object. In locative sentences, elicited with pictures showing objects in relation to each other, OSV and OVS word orders occurred, following the ground/figure principle. Namely, HZJ shows a preference to put the element which is larger or less mobile in first position, i.e. as the ground (4). (4) KAMION AUTO NA truck car on “The car is on the truck.” All of the aforementioned word orders were elicited as a response to individual pictures. In order to elicit more complex sentences, multiple pictures are presented to Deaf participants. When two similar pictures, but differing in one detail, were presented to participants, they produced sentences with contrastive focus combined with non-manual marking (e.g. head nod, brow raise). All three major constituents can be focused in HZJ. Example in (5) illustrates focused subject in initial position. (5) ŽENA ČITATI KNJIGA woman read book “The woman is reading a book.” Sentences connected in discourse can be elicited with a sequence of pictures telling a story. Stories signed in response to such pictures showed that HZJ employs a topic/comment structure, with possibility to omit old information, making it a pro-drop language. In this presentation we will give a brief outline of three aspects important to word order according to Bouchard & Dubuisson (1995 ; according to Leeson & Saeed, 2012): functional aspect, where the order of items provides information about the combination of words, and which provides guidance on how to interpret the sentence ; an articulatory aspect associated with simultaneity in sign languages which arises because it is impossible to articulate more than one sound at a time in spoken languages ; and the presumption of the existence of a basic word order. We will also give a short historically-based survey of research on word order in sign languages, following Woll’s (2003) identification of three important phases of research. Finally, as nothing less important, we will consider the role that data collection plays in the context of studies of word order in sign languages. Data and results are provided from word order study in HZJ (Milković, 2005 ; Milković, Bradarić-Jončić & Wilbur, 2006 ; 2007) in comparison of some available data within and across sign languages.

Iako je hrvatski znakovni jezik (HZJ) službeni jezik gluhih na području Republike Hrvatske, nije standardiziran, nema kvalitetne priručnike i o njemu se tek provode istraživanja. Zbog drugačijeg modaliteta jezika i nedostatka standardiziranog načina njegovog bilježenja, pokušaji stvaranja tiskanih rječnika HZJ-a nisu urodili kvalitetnim radovima, pa potreba za jednim kvalitetnim rječnikom još uvijek postoji. HZJ svojom modalnošću zahtijeva nov medij rječnika bogat multimedijem i dodatnim podacima i sadržajima koji za rječnike govorenih jezika nisu potrebni. Ovaj rad daje kratki pregled postojećih rječnika HZJ-a, opisuje poteškoće s kojima se leksikografi susreću u radu sa znakovnim jezicima, te prikazuje koje su to odlike i podaci koje bi jedan online rječnik HZJ-a morao imati, te čime bi se mogao s vremenom dopuniti., Although the Croatian sign language (CSL) is the official language of deaf people in Croatia, it is not standardised, it does not have quality textbooks and it has just recently become the subject of research. Due to a different modality of the language and the deficiency of a standardised way of recording it, attempts to create printed CSL dictionaries did not produce quality works, so the need for a quality dictionary still exists. Because of its modality, CSL requires a new medium for a dictionary rich in multimedia and additional data and content which are not necessary for spoken-language dictionaries. This paper gives a brief overview of the existing CSL dictionaries, describes the difficulties which lexicographers come across when working with sign languages, and shows what qualities and data should an online CSL dictionary have, and what could be added to it in time.

Način vršenja glagolske radnje obuhvaća različite semantičke skupine radnji koje se odnose na tijek radnje u vremenu, postizanje svrhe, količinu, intenzitet radnje u odnosu na subjekt, objekt i radnje drugih glagola srodna značenja (Barić i sur., 1997). U HZJ-u dosad je opisan glagolski vid (Milković, 2011), ali ne i način vršenja glagolske radnje. Stoga je cilj ovog rada bio utvrditi izražava li HZJ način vršenja glagolske radnje, kojim jezičnim sredstvima te jesu li ta jezična sredstva usporediva s onima u dosad opisanim znakovnim jezicima te u hrvatskom jeziku. U istraživanju su sudjelovale tri odrasle, gluhe osobe, a ispitni materijal sastojao se od izoliranih zadanih i prefigiranih glagola. Cilj je bio izazvati proizvodnju glagola u rečeničnom kontekstu u HZJ-u. Prikupljeni podaci obrađeni su deskriptivnom analizom, a u analizi je korišten Prozodijski model fonološke strukture znaka (Brentari, 1998). Dobiveni razultati pokazuju da HZJ-u izražava način vršenja glagolske radnje trima jezičnim sredstvima: dodavanje leksičkog morfema, umetanje afiksa te leksikalizirani glagoli. Promjena na morfofonološkoj razini ostvaruje se simultanom afiksacijom, koja se pokazala i najčešćim morfološkim procesom. Dodavanje leksičkog morfema prepoznato je kao sekvencijalna afiksacija. Opisana jezična sredstva usporediva su onima u drugim znakovnim jezicima, također postoji i sematička povezanost s prefiksima u hrvatskom jeziku. Ovo istraživanje doprinosi opisu gramatike HZJ-a, koja brojnim i sustavnim jezičnim sredstvima potvrđuje njegovu složenost te neosvisnost o hrvatskom govornom jeziku. Također, rad daje doprinos poučavanju HZJ-a kao stranog jezika., Aktionsart involves different semantic groups of actions related to the course of action in time, the achievement of purpose, quantity, intensity of action in relation to subject, object and other actions of verbs of related meanings (Barić et al., 1997). In Croatian Sign Language (HZJ), so far, has been described verbal aspect (Milković, 2011), but not the aktionsart. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to determine whether HZJ has a way of expressing aktionsart, by which languistic tools, and whether these language tools are comparable to those in sign languages that have been already described, and to those in Croatian spoken language. Three deaf adults participated in the study. The test material consisted isolated base-verbs and verbs with prefixes in Croatian. The goal was to trigger a verb production in a sentence context in HZJ. The collected data were analysed by descriptive analysis, and the Prosodic model of sign language phonology was used in the analysis (Brentari, 1998). The obtained results show that HZJ expresses the aktionsart by three language means: adding lexical morpheme, inserting affixes, and separate lexicalized verbs. Morphophonologic level change is achieved by simultaneous affixation, which was most common morphological process in this paper. Additing of lexical morphem is recognized as sequential affixation. The linguistic tools described are comparable to those in other sign languages, and there is also a sematic link with prefixes in the Croatian spoken language. This research contributes to the HZJ grammar description, that is, by numerous and systematic language means, it confirms its complexity and independence of Croatian spoken language. Also, the work contributes to teaching HZJ as a foreign language.

Upitnikom za ispitivanje motivacije za učenje hrvatskoga znakovnog jezika (HZJ), oblikovanom za potrebe ispitivanja, ispitano je 69 studenata Logopedije na Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijskom fakultetu u Zagrebu i 129 polaznika tečajeva HZJ-a pri udrugama “Dlan” i “Dodir” u Zagrebu. Upitnik o motivaciji sastoji se od 16 čestica s odgovorima na skali Likertovog tipa. U skladu s teorijskim očekivanjima, faktorskom analizom upitnika izdvojena su 3 faktora motivacije za učenje HZJ-a: integrativna, instrumentalna i afektivna motivacija. Analizom varijance rezultata na ekstrahiranim glavnim komponentama motivacije, utvrđene su razlike između studenata Logopedije kojima je HZJ obavezni - odnosno izborni kolegij, te polaznika tečajeva u udrugama. Kod polaznika tečajeva u udrugama integrativna i afektivna motivacija značajno su više izražene, a instrumentalna motivacija značajno je manje izražena nego kod studenata. Obje skupine studenata međusobno su podjednako integrativno i afektivno motivirane za učenje HZJ-a, a instrumentalna motivacija značajno je izraženija kod studenata kojima je HZJ obavezni kolegij. Kod obiju skupina studenata najslabije je izražena afektivna motivacija. Razmatraju se moguća objašnjenja dobivenih rezultata i njihove praktične implikacije., Sixty-nine Speech-Language Pathology students at the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences and 129 Croatian Sign Language (HZJ) course participants at the Croatian Association of Deaf-blind Persons “Dodir” and the Association “Theater, Visual Arts and Deaf Culture – Dlan” in Zagreb were surveyed using the Questionnaire of Motivation for HZJ Learning, designed specifically for this research. The questionnaire consists of 16 items accompanied by a standard 5-point Likert scale. Factor analysis of the questionnaire demonstrated that the questionnaire measured three types of motivation for HZJ learning: instrumental, integrative and affective. One-way analysis of variance indicated that three groups of participants - students who attended an HZJ course as a mandatory subject, students who attended an HZJ course as an elective course, and HZJ course participants in associations - differ significantly in their HZJ learning motivation. Significantly higher levels of integrative and affective motivation were found among HZJ course participants, while their instrumental motivation proved to be lower than that among students. Both groups of students were found to have similar levels of integrative and affective HZJ learning motivation, while instrumental motivation proved to be significantly higher in students who take HZJ as a mandatory course. Affective motivation received the lowest score in both groups of students. Possible explanations for these results, as well as their implications for HZJ teaching, are considered.

The aim of this study was to examine the use of learning strategies for Croatian Sign Language (HZJ) by students of the Speech and Language Pathology study program at the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb (N= 69), and students (“course takers”) attending HZJ courses at associations “Theatre, Visual Arts and Deaf Culture – Dlan” and "Croatian Association of the Deafblind – Dodir" (N=129). For 45 faculty students HZJ was an obligatory course, and for 24 of them it was an elective course. The instrument used was the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) (Oxford, 1990). There was no significant difference between the students and course-takers in the use of language learning strategies. Both groups equally use the following strategies (in order of frequency): social, compensation, metacognitive, memory and cognitive strategies. Affective strategies were used the least, which indicates that students should be directed to the use of strategies for reducing anxiety and fear when learning this complex and challenging language.

Svaki jezik ima svoju vlastitu gramatičku formu kojom predstavlja prostorne odnose. Znakovni jezici razlikuju se u toj domeni te je korištenje prostora za znakovanje dio morfosintakse znakovnog jezika i nije motivirano slikovitošću ili gestama.

We present an initial description of the sign parameters in Croatian Sign Language. We show that HZJ has a comparable phonological structure to other known sign languages, including basic sign parts, such as location, handshape, movement, orientation, and nonmanual characteristics. Our discussion follows the Prosodic Model (Brentari 1998), in which sign structure is separated into those characteristics which do not change during sign formation (inherent features) and those that do (prosodic features). We present the model, along with discussion of the notion of constraints on sign formation, and apply it to HZJ to the extent that we are able to do so. We identify an inventory of the relevant handshapes, orientations, locations, and movements in HZJ, and a partial inventory of nonmanuals. One interesting feature of the HZJ environment is the existence of two fingerspelling alphabets, a one-handed and a two-handed system. We also provide additional analytical steps that can be taken after the initial inventory has been constructed. Both minimal pairs and constraints on sign formation are especially useful for demonstrating the linguistic systematicity of sign languages and separating them from gesture and mime.