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Sign Language and Linguistic Universals
Abstract
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.
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Cited by
The myth of language universals: Language diversity and its importance for cognitive science
Evans, N., & Levinson, S. C. (2009) · Behavioral and Brain Sciences · doi:10.1017/s0140525x0999094x · Cited by 2,623
Neural reuse: A fundamental organizational principle of the brain
Anderson, M. L. (2010) · Behavioral and Brain Sciences · doi:10.1017/s0140525x10000853 · Cited by 1,212
Iconicity as a general property of language: evidence from spoken and signed languages
Perniss, P., Thompson, R. L., & Vigliocco, G. (2010) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2010.00227 · Cited by 442
Gesture's Role in Speaking, Learning, and Creating Language
Goldin-Meadow, S., & Alibali, M. W. (2013) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143802 · Cited by 437
Sign Language Recognition, Generation, and Translation: An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Bragg, D., Koller, O., Bellard, M., Berke, L., Boudreault, P., Braffort, A., Caselli, N., Huenerfauth, M., Kacorri, H., Verhoef, T., et al. (2019) · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility · doi:10.1145/3308561.3353774 · Cited by 422
Metadata
- Authors
- Sandler, W., & Lillo-Martin, D.
- Venue
- Cambridge University Press eBooks
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Published
- 2006-02-02
- OpenAlex
- W1496324522
- Cited by
- 1,415
- References
- 0
- FWCI
- 35.74
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
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