Introducing Sign Language Literature

Rachel Sutton-Spence is a lecturer in Sign Language Studies at the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Brazil. She has long been fascinated by sign language poetry and folklore, and has published extensively on linguistic and educational aspects of sign language creativity, humour and metaphor. She is co-author, with Bencie Woll, of The Linguistics of British Sign Language: An Introduction (1999). She taught sign language linguistics and literature at the University of Bristol and to professionals working with sign language within the British Deaf community for many years. Michiko Kaneko is a Lecturer and Head of the Department of South African Sign Language in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. She obtained her PhD in Deaf Studies in the University of Bristol, where she also completed a three-year postdoctoral project titled "Metaphor in Creative Sign Language". Her research interests include sign language linguistics, sign language literature (poetry and stories expressed visually, spatially and manually) and metaphor studies.

'This book is very interesting and engaging, and opens doors to previously unexplored avenues in Deaf culture. It will allow students and those with an interest to develop a knowledge of Deaf culture that is largely unseen by those outside the 'Deaf world', and the beauty of stories and lore told/shown in Sign Language.' - Amanda Smith, BSL Senior Lecturer, York St. John University 'Rich in a broad range of information with reference to Storytelling and Poetry in Sign Language for those who wish to study and enhance their knowledge of the art of Creative Signing and more effective use of Visual Space. Much of the information in the book is relevant to contemporary issues such as the Visual Vernacular and Cinematic Features. An extremely valuable resource.' - Dr Luigi Lerose, BSL and Deaf Studies Lecturer, University of Central Lancashire 'This study offers a comprehensive introduction to 'sign language literatures', and will be of interest not only to students of sign language but also to anyone wishing to gain an understanding of how language works across modalities. It shows how language use within the deaf community has been shaped by folklore, storytelling and deaf humour, illustrating how such language use continues to influence the very nature of the deaf community.' - Dr Martin Atherton, Course Leader for British Sign Language and Deaf Studies, University of Central Lancashire 'This beautifully crafted and highly accessible volume introduces, situates, and presents guidance for interpreting the canon of sign language literature. The authors enrich our appreciation of the creative craftsmanship of deaf poets from around the world, bringing us on a magical journey which unpacks the complexity of sign language storytelling, folklore, signlore, poetry and prose.' - Professor Lorraine Leeson, Director, Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College Dublin

• 1. What is Sign Language Literature?2. Sign Language Literature in Context3. Oral Literature and Performance4. Folklore and Deaflore5. Story Types6. Storytelling Techniques7. Anthropomorphism8. Beginnings and Endings9. Plots, Protagonists, Subjects and Themes10. Metaphor11. Prose and Poetry12. Neologism and Ambiguity13. Repetition14. Handshape15. Use of Signing Space16. Symmetry and Balance17. Nonmanual Features18. Deaf Humour and Sign Language Humour19. Style in Signed Art Forms20. Conclusion.