This series offers general accounts of the major language families of the world, with volumes organized either on a purely genetic basis or on a geographical basis, whichever yields the most convenient and intelligible grouping in each case. Each volume compares and contrasts the typological features of the languages it deals with. It also treats the relevant genetic relationships, historical development, and sociolinguistic issues arising from their role and use in the world today. The books are intended for linguists from undergraduate level upwards, but no special knowledge of the languages under consideration is assumed. Volumes such as those on Australia and the Amazon Basin are also of wider relevance, as the future of the languages and their speakers raises important social and political issues
What are the unique characteristics of sign languages that make them so fascinating? What have recent researchers discovered about them, and what do these findings tell us about human language more generally? This thematic and geographic overview examines more than forty sign languages from around the world. It begins by investigating how sign languages have survived and been transmitted for generations, and then goes on to analyze the common characteristics shared by most sign languages: for example, how the use of the visual (rather than the auditory) system affects grammatical structures. The final section describes the phenomena of language variation and change. Drawing on a wide range of examples, the book explores sign languages both old and young, from British, Italian, Asian and American to Israeli, Al-Sayyid Bedouin, African and Nicaraguan. Written in a clear, readable style, it is the essential reference for students and scholars working in sign language studies and Deaf studies, as well as an indispensable guide for researchers in general linguistics
What are the unique characteristics of sign languages that make them so fascinating? What have recent researchers discovered about them, and what do these findings tell us about human language more generally? This thematic and geographic overview examines more than forty sign languages from around the world. It begins by investigating how sign languages have survived and been transmitted for generations, and then goes on to analyze the common characteristics shared by most sign languages: for example, how the use of the visual (rather than the auditory) system affects grammatical structures. The final section describes the phenomena of language variation and change. Drawing on a wide range of examples, the book explores sign languages both old and young, from British, Italian, Asian and American to Israeli, Al-Sayyid Bedouin, African and Nicaraguan. Written in a clear, readable style, it is the essential reference for students and scholars working in sign language studies and Deaf studies, as well as an indispensable guide for researchers in general linguistics
" ... an extremely helpful snapshot of where sign language research finds itself and should prove to be a route map for future research into as yet uncharted territory."
Debra Aarons, School of Language Studies and Linguistics, University of New South Wales, Australia
" Diane Brentari has gathered an immense wealth of linguistic and anthropological information on signed languages around the world. It represents the most up-to-date knowledge we have in this important, growing field. Each chapter is well worth reading on its own, but altogether the work is a superb, insightful picture of the complexities of signed languages and the breadth of current signed language research."
Terry Janzen, University of Manitoba
Industry Reviews
'... an extremely helpful snapshot of where Sign Language research finds itself and should prove to be a route map for future research into as yet unchartered territory.' Debra Aarons, School of Language Studies and Linguistics, University of New South Wales
'Diane Brentari has gathered an immense wealth of linguistic and anthropological information on signed languages around the world. It represents the most up-to-date knowledge we have in this important, growing field. Each chapter is well worth reading on its own, but altogether the work is a superb, insightful picture of the complexities of signed languages and the breadth of current signed language research.' Terry Janzen, University of Manitoba
