The Study of Signed Languages

by Armstrong, David F.; Karchmer, Michael A.; Van Cleve, John Vickrey

• ISBN13: 9781563685101
• ISBN10: 1563685108
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-02-15
• Publisher: Gallaudet Univ Pr

Summary

The late William C. Stokoe changed the landscape of linguistic inquiry when, in the mid-1960s, he began to prove that signed languages, particularly American Sign Language, met all criteria to constitute genuine languages. At that time, most scholars rejected Stokoe's theories outright. But, in 1999, many of today's notable researchers assembled at a special conference in Stokoe's honor to explore the remarkable research that grew out of his originalinsights on American Sign Language. The Study of Signed Languages presents the fascinating findings from that conference.

Table of Contents

List of Contributors	p. viii
Preface: the Study of Signed Languages	p. xi
Introduction: Bill Stokoe: An ASL Trailblazer	p. 1
Historical Perspectives
Introduction	p. 9
The Curious Death of Sign Language Studies in the Nineteenth Century	p. 13
Historical Observations on the Relationship Between Research on Sign Languages and Language Origins Theory	p. 35
Modality Effects and Conflicting Agendas	p. 53
Language Origins
Introduction	p. 85
Does Sign Language Solve the Chomsky Problem?	p. 89
Continuity, Ethology, and Stokoe: How to Build a Better Language Model	p. 100
the Gestural Theory of Language Origins	p. 118
Diverse Populations
Introduction	p. 133
The Impact of Variation Research on Deaf Communities	p. 137
The Impact of Sign Language Research on Black Deaf Communities in America	p. 161
Bilingualism and the Impact of Sign Language Research on Deaf Education	p. 172
Sign Communication Training and Motor Functioning in Children with Autistic Disorder and in Other Populations	p. 190
Gesture and the Nature of Language in Infancy: The Role of Gesture as a Transitional Device En Route to Two-Word Speech	p. 213
Concluding Thoughts: The Future of American Sign Language	p. 247
Index	p. 263
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