Non-Manual Features, Facial Expression and Body Language
What this domain tests
Grammatical and affective non-manual features: eyebrow position, head movement, eye gaze, mouth morphemes, body lean, and shoulder movement. The exam tests whether you can use NMF to mark questions, negation, topics, conditionals, and intensity.
Core rules and concepts
- NMF is grammar, not decoration. The same hand sign can become a statement, question, or negation depending on the face and head.
- Yes/no questions: brows up, head forward or tilted, hold at the end.
- Wh-questions: brows down, head slightly back or tilted, hold on the wh-sign.
- Topic marking: raised brows, slight head tilt, pause after the topic.
- Negation: headshake timed with the negated predicate; a delayed headshake reads as unclear.
- Intensity and manner are shown by mouth morphemes, speed, and tension.
Worked example
Sign YOU GO STORE with three different NMF patterns. Reasoning: neutral face means a statement, 'You are going to the store.' Brows up plus head forward means a yes/no question, 'Are you going to the store?' Brows down plus head tilt with a wh-sign means a wh-question; without a wh-sign it may read as a sceptical statement. Headshake plus frown means negation, 'You are not going.' The hand signs are identical; the NMF changes the meaning. That is why examiners deduct for flat NMF.
Traps that cost marks
- Smiling constantly, which neutralises question marking.
- Starting NMF after the hands.
- Using NMF only for emotion, not grammar.
- Overdoing the face so it becomes a grimace.
- Mouthing English words instead of using mouth morphemes.