THE LINGUISTICS OF SIGN LANGUAGES

DFS2LSL

Not currently offered

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

In this subject, students will explore the linguistic structure of sign languages. The formational structure of sign languages (phonology), the organisation of sign language lexicons and grammatical systems (lexicology, morphology, syntax, discourse), and the way in which meanings are expressed (semantics and pragmatics) are all considered. Data are drawn from Auslan (Australian Sign Language) together with examples from other sign languages. The subject also introduces students to issues involved in sociolinguistic variation, psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics of sign languages, as well as the relevance of sign language research for an understanding of human language in general.

School: Humanities and Social Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator:

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: N/A

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Sign language and linguistic universals

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Sandler, W and Lillo-Martin, D

Year: 2005

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Australian Sign Language (Auslan): an introduction to sign language linguistics

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Prescribed

Author: Johnston, T and Schembri, A

Year: 2007

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

The linguistics of British Sign Language: an introduction

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Sutton-Spence, R and Woll, B

Year: 1999

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Appraise the importance of studying sign languages for descriptive and theoretical linguistics.
02. Explain, apply and critique mainstream accounts of sign phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics.
03. Compare and contrast the features of sign languages that are inherently different from spoken languages and the impact this has on our understanding of language universals.
04. Apply sign language research methodology to the analysis of sign language data.
05. Appraise the importance of sign language research for an understanding of sociolinguistic variation, psycholinguistics and the neuroscience of language.
Subject not currently offered - Subject options not available.