Grammar, Gesture, and Meaning in American Sign Language

Explores similarities and differences between spoken and signed languages, challenging notions of what constitutes 'language'.

List of contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. American Sign Language as a language; 2. A sketch of the grammar of ASL; 3. Pronouns and real space; 4. Indicating verbs and real space; 5. Surrogates; 6. Directing signs at locations and things; 7. Tokens; 8. Buoys; 9. Depicting verbs; 10. Five brothers; 11. Grammar, gesture, and meaning; Appendixes; References; General index; Index of illustrated signs.

About the author

Scott K. Liddell is Professor of Linguistics and Program Coordinator for the Linguistics Program at Gallaudet University, Washington DC. His publications include American Sign Language Syntax (1980), and he is also the author of nearly 40 articles and chapters relating to sign language grammar and the use of sign language in educating deaf students.

Summary

In sign languages of the deaf, now recognized as fully legitimate human languages, some signs can meaningfully point toward things or can be meaningfully placed in the space ahead of the signer. This book focuses on American Sign Language to examine the grammatical and conceptual purposes served by these signs.

Product details

• Authors: Scott K. Liddell, Liddell Scott K.
• Publisher: Cambridge Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 13.03.2003
• EAN: 9780521816205
• ISBN: 978-0-521-81620-5
• Dimensions: 159 mm x 233 mm x 29 mm
• Weight: 740 g
• Illustrations: 13 tables, Tabellen, nicht spezifiziert
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > Other languages / Other literatures; PSYCHOLOGY / General, Psychology, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Sign Language, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Alphabets & Writing Systems, Psycholinguistics, Psycholinguistics and cognitive linguistics, Sign languages, Braille & other linguistic communication, Sign languages, Braille and other linguistic communication