Modality and Structure in Signed and Spoken Languages

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511486777

The realisation that signed languages are true languages is one of the great discoveries of linguistic research. The work of many sign language researchers has revealed deep similarities between signed and spoken languages in their structure, acquisition and processing, as well as differences, arising from the differing articulatory and perceptual constraints under which signed languages are used and learned. This book provides a cross-linguistic examination of the properties of many signed languages, including detailed case studies of Hong Kong, British, Mexican and German sign languages. The contributions to this volume, by some of the most prominent researchers in the field, focus on a single question: to what extent is linguistic structure influenced by the modality of language? Their answers offer particular insights into the factors that shape the nature of language and contribute to our understanding of why languages are organised as they are.

‘For those researchers willing to ask the modality question, this volume will be an excellent resource.’

Source: First Language

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv
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Contents
pp v-vii
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List of figures
pp viii-x
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List of tables
pp xi-xii
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List of contributors
pp xiii-xvi
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Acknowledgements
pp xvii-xviii
- By Richard P. Meier, Professor of Linguistics and Psychology University of Texas at Austin, Kearsy Cormier, Doctorate in linguistics University of Texas at Austin, David Quinto-Pozos, Teacher Department of Linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh
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1 - Why different, why the same? Explaining effects and non-effects of modality upon linguistic structure in sign and speech
pp 1-26
- By Richard P. Meier, Professor of Linguistics and Psychology University of Texas at Austin
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Part I - Phonological structure in signed languages
pp 27-34
- By Richard P. Meier, Professor of Linguistics and Psychology University of Texas at Austin, Kearsy Cormier, Doctorate in linguistics University of Texas at Austin, David Quinto-Pozos, Teacher Department of Linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh
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2 - Modality differences in sign language phonology and morphophonemics
pp 35-64
- By Diane Brentari, Professor and Director of the American Sign Language Program Purdue University
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3 - Beads on a string? Representations of repetition in spoken and signed languages
pp 65-87
- By Rachel Channon, Doctorate in linguistics University of Maryland at College Park
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4 - Psycholinguistic investigations of phonological structure in ASL
pp 88-111
- By David P. Corina, Associate Professor of Psychology University of Washington in Seattle, WA, Ursula C. Hildebrandt, Psychology doctoral student University of Washington in Seattle, WA
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5 - Modality-dependent aspects of sign language production: Evidence from slips of the hands and their repairs in German Sign Language
pp 112-142
- By Annette Hohenberger, Research assistant University of Frankfurt, Germany, Daniela Happ, Deaf research assistant University of Frankfurt, Germany, Helen Leuninger, Professor of Linguistics University of Frankfurt, Germany
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6 - The role of Manually Coded English in language development of deaf children
pp 143-166
- By Samuel J. Supalla, Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and School Psychology University of Arizona, Cecile McKee, Associate Professor University of Arizona
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Part II - Gesture and iconicity in sign and speech
pp 167-174
- By Richard P. Meier, Professor of Linguistics and Psychology University of Texas at Austin, Kearsy Cormier, Doctorate in linguistics University of Texas at Austin, David Quinto-Pozos, Teacher Department of Linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh
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7 - A modality-free notion of gesture and how it can help us with the morpheme vs. gesture question in sign language linguistics (Or at least give us some criteria to work with)
pp 175-198
- By Arika Okrent
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8 - Gesture as the substrate in the process of ASL grammaticization
pp 199-223
- By Terry Janzen, Assistant Professor of Linguistics University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, Barbara Shaffer, Assistant Professor of Linguistics University of New Mexico
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9 - A crosslinguistic examination of the lexicons of four signed languages
pp 224-236
- By Anne-Marie P. Guerra Currie, STI Healthcare, Inc. in Austin, Richard P. Meier, Professor of Linguistics and Psychology University of Texas at Austin, Keith Walters, Associate Professor of Linguistics, Anthropology, and Middle Eastern Studies University of Texas at Austin
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Part III - Syntax in sign: Few or no effects of modality
pp 237-240
- By Richard P. Meier, Professor of Linguistics and Psychology University of Texas at Austin, Kearsy Cormier, Doctorate in linguistics University of Texas at Austin, David Quinto-Pozos, Teacher Department of Linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh
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10 - Where are all the modality effects?
pp 241-262
- By Diane Lillo-Martin, Professor and Department Head University of Connecticut; Senior Research Scientist Haskins Laboratories
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11 - Applying morphosyntactic and phonological readjustment rules in natural language negation
pp 263-295
- By Roland Pfau, Assistant Professor University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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12 - Nominal expressions in Hong Kong Sign Language: Does modality make a difference?
pp 296-320
- By Gladys Tang, Associate Professor Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Felix Y. B. Sze, Research student University of Bristol, UK
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Part IV - Using space and describing space: Pronouns, classifiers, and verb agreement
pp 321-328
- By Richard P. Meier, Professor of Linguistics and Psychology University of Texas at Austin, Kearsy Cormier, Doctorate in linguistics University of Texas at Austin, David Quinto-Pozos, Teacher Department of Linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh
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13 - Pronominal reference in signed and spoken language: Are grammatical categories modality-dependent?
pp 329-369
- By Susan Lioyd McBurney, Linguistics graduate student University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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14 - Is verb agreement the same crossmodally?
pp 370-404
- By Christian Rathmann, Doctoral student in linguistics University of Texas at Austin, Gaurav Mathur, Postdoctoral fellow Haskins Laboratories in New Haven, CT
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15 - The effects of modality on spatial language: How signers and speakers talk about space
pp 405-421
- By Karen Emmorey, Senior Staff Scientist Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA
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16 - The effects of modality on BSL development in an exceptional learner
pp 422-441
- By Gary Morgan, Lecturer in Developmental Psychology City University, London, Neil Smith, Professor of Linguistics University College London, Ianthi Tsimpli, Associate Professor at the English Department Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Bencie Woll, Chair in Sign Language and Deaf Studies City University London
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17 - Deictic points in the visual–gestural and tactile–gestural modalities
pp 442-468
- By David Quinto-Pozos, Teacher Department of Linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh
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Index
pp 469-480
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Modality and Structure in Signed and Spoken Languages

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