Abstract
This article presents information about the results of a research project into Czech sign language aimed at role switching, for which - in line with the terminology used in studies abroad - we can also use the term "constructed act". The object of the research was the technique used by speakers when creating narrative texts involving more than one character, and so a need to distinguish the characters.
The research confirmed that some of the techniques and means employed for switching roles in Czech sign language are the same as the strategies used in foreign sign languages that have already been studied. These include the exploitation of non-manual means: change in position of the body (leaning the chest forward and back, or to the side), change in facial expression (expressions mimicking the character concerned), change in position of head (horizontal or vertical movement) change in the direction of look (depending on the character embodied), and referential gesture (the utterance always relates to the person that the speaker is embodying), through which the speaker transposes himself into a certain role.
Attention was also devoted to the expression of viewpoint serving to clearly defining role in text by means of a nominal phrase, introductory clause or personal deix that creates the sentence framework together with the switching of role. In individual sections of utterance the sentence framework changes and three types o f construction may be separated out with the role switch: continuing and interrupted reference occurring in introductory parts of the text, and zero reference in those parts of the text where there is no change of referent.
The means used in sign languages to distinguish clearly between characters entering into the text - the constructed act, may therefore be considered universal.