What is a minimal pair in sign language?

• A. Two signs that differ by one parameter
• B. Two signs with the same handshape
• C. Two signs with different meanings
• D. Two signs that are identical

Answer: (A)

In sign language, a minimal pair is two signs that have the same overall structure except for one small change in a parameter, which changes the meaning. The key idea is that only one aspect differs while all other features stay the same. The common parameters include handshape, location (where the sign is produced on the body), movement, and orientation, and sometimes facial expressions or other non-manual signals.

Two signs differing by just one parameter demonstrates how a tiny contrast can create an entirely different word. For example, if two signs share the same handshape, the same movement, and the same orientation, but are produced at different places on the body, they have a minimal pair relationship because the location alone changes the meaning.

That’s why the option describing two signs that differ by one parameter is the best choice. If signs have only one difference, they form a minimal pair; if they differ in more than one parameter or if they’re identical, they’re not a minimal pair. And simply stating that two signs have different meanings isn’t enough to establish a minimal pair without specifying how many parameters differ.