The Linguistics of British Sign Language: An Introduction

by Rachel Sutton-Spence , Bencie Woll

• ISBN13: 9780521637183
• ISBN10: 052163718X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-04-28
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This is the first detailed explanation of the way British Sign Language works and is the product of many years' experience of research and teaching sign linguistics to deaf and hearing people. It assumes no previous knowledge of linguistics or sign language, and is not structured around traditional headings such as phonology, morphology and syntax. Instead it is set out in such a way as to help learners and their teachers understand the linguistic principles behind the language. There are sections on BSL grammar and also on the use of BSL, including social acceptability in signing, variation, and poetry and humour in BSL. Technical terms and linguistic jargon are kept to a minimum, and the text contains many examples from English, BSL, and other spoken and sign languages. The book is amply illustrated and contains exercises, as well as a reading list for further study. An accompanying 90-minute video is available from CACDP, Durham University Science Park, Block 4, Mountjoy Research Centre, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3UZ. Tel: [phone], or e-mail: [e-mail]

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	ix
Conventions used	xi
Linguistics and sign linguistics	1	(21)
BSL in its social context	22	(19)
Constructing sign sentences	41	(24)
Question and negation	65	(16)
Mouth patterns and other non--manual features in BSL	81	(18)
Morphology and morphemes in BSL	99	(16)
Aspect, manner, and mood	115	(14)
Space types and verb types in BSL	129	(25)
The structure of gestures and signs	154	(20)
Visual motivation and metaphor	174	(23)
The established and productive lexicons	197	(19)
Borrowing and name signs	216	(25)
Socially unacceptable signs	241	(13)
Extended use of language in BSL	254	(23)
Bibliography	277	(5)
Subject index	282	(6)
Index of signs in the text	288