Sociolinguistics and Deaf Communities

This book provides an up-to-date overview of the main areas of the sociolinguistics of sign languages.

Adam C. Schembri (Edited by), Ceil Lucas (Edited by)

9781107663862, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 February 2015

182 pages, 19 b/w illus. 2 tables
23 x 15.5 x 1 cm, 0.31 kg

'… the book is likely to whet students' appetite for more information about the sociolinguistics of Deaf communities, and the authors' outlining of important areas for future research provides a useful signposting of priorities for those who seek to become engaged in this field.' Bencie Woll, Journal of Sociolinguistics

How do people use sign languages in different situations around the world? How are sign languages distributed globally? What happens when they come in contact with spoken and written languages? These and other questions are explored in this new introduction to the sociolinguistics of sign languages and deaf communities. An international team brings insights and data from a wide range of sign languages, from the USA, Canada, England, Spain, Brazil and Australia. Topics covered include multilingualism in the global deaf community, sociolinguistic variation and change in sign languages, bilingualism and language contact between signed and spoken languages, attitudes towards sign languages, sign language planning and policy, and sign language discourse. Sociolinguistics and Deaf Communities will be welcomed by students of sign language and interpreting, teachers of sign language, and students and academics working in linguistics.

1. Introduction Adam C. Schembri and Ceil Lucas
2. Sign languages in the world Jordan Fenlon and Erin Wilkinson
3. Sign languages in contact David Quinto-Pozos and Robert Adam
4. Variation and change in sign languages Robert Bayley, Adam C. Schembri and Ceil Lucas
5. Discourse analysis and sign languages Elizabeth A. Winston and Cynthia Roy
6. Language policy and planning in Deaf communities Josep Quer and Ronice Müller de Quadros
7. Language attitudes in Deaf communities Joseph C. Hill.

Subject Areas: Sign languages, Braille & other linguistic communication [CFZ], Sociolinguistics [CFB], Linguistics [CF]