noun
non-manual signals; NMS
Technical term in sign language linguistics referring to facial expressions, head movements, and body posture that convey grammatical or affective meaning alongside manual signs.
日本手話では、非手指動作が文法要素として重要な役割を果たす。
In Japanese Sign Language, non-manual signals play an important role as grammatical elements.
疑問文では、眉を上げる非手指動作が観察される。
In interrogative sentences, the non-manual signal of raising the eyebrows is observed.
手指動作 refers to manual signs (hand movements), while 非手指動作 covers non-manual components like facial expressions and body posture.
Compound of 非 (non-) + 手指 (finger/hand) + 動作 (movement/action), literally 'non-hand-movement'. A modern technical term in sign language studies.