Diane Lillo-Martin - Böcker

In recent years, the scientific study of signed languages and deaf individuals has greatly enhanced our understanding of deafness, language, and cognition. This volume considers the extent to which the use of sign language might affect the course and character of cognitive development.

The relationship of language to cognition, especially in development, is an issue that has occupied philosophers, psychologists, and linguists for centuries. In recent years, the scientific study of signed languages and deaf individuals has greatly enhanced our understanding of deafness, language, and cognition. This Counterpoints volume will consider the extent to which the use of sign language might affect the course and character of cognitive development, and will present a variety of viewpoints in this debate.

Sign languages are of great interest to linguists, because while they are the product of the same brain, their physical transmission differs greatly from that of spoken languages. In this 2006 study, Wendy Sandler and Diane Lillo-Martin compare sign languages with spoken languages, in order to seek the universal properties they share. Drawing on general linguistic theory, they describe and analyze sign language structure, showing linguistic universals in the phonology, morphology, and syntax of sign language, while also revealing non-universal aspects of its structure that must be attributed to its physical transmission system. No prior background in sign language linguistics is assumed, and numerous pictures are provided to make descriptions of signs and facial expressions accessible to readers. Engaging and informative, Sign Language and Linguistic Universals will be invaluable to linguists, psychologists, and all those interested in sign languages, linguistic theory and the universal properties of human languages.