ABSTRACT
While classifier constructions are among the most thoroughly investigated sign language phenomena, they appear also to be among the most controversial ones. Taken together, the neurolinguistic studies all meet with activation of unexpected brain areas in the left hemisphere in the processing of classifier constructions. On the basis of the results, these studies strongly suggest or even claim that classifiers are linguistic elements. It is important that complex issues like classifier constructions are investigated by means of a variety of differently focused studies, as each investigation has its drawbacks and biases. The language acquisition studies show that the classifiers are the most difficult elements to acquire, contrary to the spatial information; the classifiers are much more prone to error than lexical signs in the production of sign language learners and mastery takes a longer time. The neurolinguistic studies reveal that lexical signs are processed in the left hemisphere while classifier constructions engage both hemispheres.
