Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Keyword
-
- Sign languages (9)
- Deaf children (5)
- Ease of articulation (2)
- Ebooks (2)
- Iconicity (2)
-
- Kyrgyz (2)
- Lexical frequency (2)
- Linguistic deprivation (2)
- Literacy (2)
- Phonetics (2)
- Acceptability (1)
- Acoustic phonetics (1)
- Agreement (1)
- Anchoring (1)
- Annotation (1)
- Articulation (1)
- Attention (1)
- Biomechanical effort (1)
- Brain plasticity (1)
- Brazilian Sign Language (1)
- Child neglect (1)
- Cognitive development (1)
- Cognitive health (1)
- Collaboration (1)
- Compound (1)
- Dance (1)
- Deaf children’s rights (1)
- Deaf communities (1)
- Deaf education (1)
- Demonstratives (1)
Articles 31 - 60 of 96
Full-Text Articles in Linguistics
Reactive Effort As A Factor That Shapes Sign Language Lexicons, N. Sanders, Donna Jo Napoli
Reactive Effort As A Factor That Shapes Sign Language Lexicons, N. Sanders, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
Many properties of languages, including sign languages, are not uniformly distributed among items in the lexicon. Some of this nonuniformity can be accounted for by appeal to articulatory ease, with easier articulations being overrepresented in the lexicon in comparison to more difficult articulations. The literature on ease of articulation deals only with the active effort internal to the articulation itself. We note the existence of a previously unstudied aspect of articulatory ease, which we call reactive effort: the effort of resisting incidental movement that has been induced by an articulation elsewhere in the body. For example, reactive effort is needed …
A Cross-Linguistic Preference For Torso Stability In The Lexicon: Evidence From 24 Sign Languages, N. Sanders, Donna Jo Napoli
A Cross-Linguistic Preference For Torso Stability In The Lexicon: Evidence From 24 Sign Languages, N. Sanders, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
When the arms move in certain ways, they can cause the torso to twist or rock. Such extraneous torso movement is undesirable, especially during sign language communication, when torso position may carry linguistic significance, so we expend effort to resist it when it is not intended. This so-called “reactive effort” has only recently been identified by Sanders and Napoli (2016), but their preliminary work on three genetically unrelated languages suggests that the effects of reactive effort can be observed cross-linguistically by examination of sign language lexicons. In particular, the frequency of different kinds of manual movements in the lexicon correlates …
Shared Reading Activities: A Recommendation For Deaf Children, Donna Jo Napoli, G. Mirus
Shared Reading Activities: A Recommendation For Deaf Children, Donna Jo Napoli, G. Mirus
Linguistics Faculty Works
There should be a focus on fun in shared reading activities with preschoolers in order to prepare them for later literacy, particularly those at risk of a poor foundation in a first language (L1), including deaf children (here “deaf” covers hard of hearing, as well). We look at how shared reading activities (SRAs) develop pre-literacy skills and describe bilingual-bimodal ebooks aimed purely at producing enjoyment, so families will engage in SRAs frequently.
What Medical Education Can Do To Ensure Robust Language Development In Deaf Children, T. Humphries, P. Kushalnagar, G. Mathur, Donna Jo Napoli, C. Padden, R. Pollard, C. Rathmann, S. Smith
What Medical Education Can Do To Ensure Robust Language Development In Deaf Children, T. Humphries, P. Kushalnagar, G. Mathur, Donna Jo Napoli, C. Padden, R. Pollard, C. Rathmann, S. Smith
Linguistics Faculty Works
The typical medical education curriculum does not address language development for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children. However, this issue is medical because of the frequency with which DHH children as a population face health complications due to linguistic deprivation. The critical period for language development is early; if a child does not acquire an intact language before age five, the child is unlikely to ever have native-like use of any language. Such linguistic deprivation carries risks of cognitive delay and psycho-social health difficulties. Spoken language is inaccessible for many DHH children despite assistive-technology developments. But sign languages, because they are …
L2 Learners' Sensitivity To Semantic And Morphophonological Information On Swahili Nouns, P. Spinner, Jamie A. Thomas
L2 Learners' Sensitivity To Semantic And Morphophonological Information On Swahili Nouns, P. Spinner, Jamie A. Thomas
Linguistics Faculty Works
Previous research demonstrates that L2 learners are sensitive to morphophonological and semantic information regarding grammatical gender in European languages (e.g., Spinner & Juffs, 2008). In this study we examine the use of morphophonological and semantic information by two groups of English-speaking learners acquiring Swahili gender (noun class). The results of an oral agreement-marking task, a written gender assignment task, and interviews indicate that learners are sensitive to morphophonological information regarding gender in Swahili. The findings for semantic information are more complex; learners appear to be sensitive to animacy but not to other “minor” semantic information such as tree or active …
On The Linguistic Effects Of Articulatory Ease, With A Focus On Sign Languages, Donna Jo Napoli, N. Sanders, R. Wright
On The Linguistic Effects Of Articulatory Ease, With A Focus On Sign Languages, Donna Jo Napoli, N. Sanders, R. Wright
Linguistics Faculty Works
Spoken language has a well-known drive for ease of articulation, which Kirchner (1998, 2004) analyzes as reduction of the total magnitude of all biomechanical forces involved. We extend Kirchner's insights from vocal articulation to manual articulation, with a focus on joint usage, and we discuss ways that articulatory ease might be realized in sign languages. In particular, moving more joints and/or joints more proximal to the torso results in greater mass being moved, and thus more articulatory force being expended, than moving fewer joints or moving more distal joints. We predict that in casual conversation, where articulatory ease is prized, …
Ensuring Language Acquisition For Deaf Children: What Linguists Can Do, T. Humphries, P. Kushalnagar, G. Mathur, Donna Jo Napoli, C. Padden, C. Rathmann
Ensuring Language Acquisition For Deaf Children: What Linguists Can Do, T. Humphries, P. Kushalnagar, G. Mathur, Donna Jo Napoli, C. Padden, C. Rathmann
Linguistics Faculty Works
Parents of small deaf children need guidance on constructing home and school environments that affect normal language acquisition. They often turn to physicians and spiritual leaders and, increasingly, the internet. These sources can be underinformed about crucial issues, such as matters of brain plasticity connected to the risk of linguistic deprivation, and delay or disruption in the development of cognitive skills interwoven with linguistic ability. We have formed a team of specialists in education, linguistics, pediatric medicine, and psychology, and at times specialists in theology and in law have joined our group. We argue that deaf children should be taught …
Order Of The Major Constituents In Sign Languages: Implications For All Language, Donna Jo Napoli, R. Sutton-Spence
Order Of The Major Constituents In Sign Languages: Implications For All Language, Donna Jo Napoli, R. Sutton-Spence
Linguistics Faculty Works
A survey of reports of sign order from 42 sign languages leads to a handful of generalizations. Two accounts emerge, one amodal and the other modal. We argue that universal pressures are at work with respect to some generalizations, but that pressure from the visual modality is at work with respect to others. Together, these pressures conspire to make all sign languages order their major constituents SOV or SVO. This study leads us to the conclusion that the order of S with regard to verb phrase (VP) may be driven by sensorimotor system concerns that feed universal grammar.
Linguistic And Audio-Video Collections In Ethnobiology, K. David Harrison, Karim Sariahmed , '13
Linguistic And Audio-Video Collections In Ethnobiology, K. David Harrison, Karim Sariahmed , '13
Linguistics Faculty Works
No abstract provided.
The Right To Language, T. Humphries, R. Kushalnagar, G. Mathur, Donna Jo Napoli, C. Padden, C. Rathmann, S. Smith
The Right To Language, T. Humphries, R. Kushalnagar, G. Mathur, Donna Jo Napoli, C. Padden, C. Rathmann, S. Smith
Linguistics Faculty Works
We argue for the existence of a state constitutional legal right to language. Our purpose here is to develop a legal framework for protecting the civil rights of the deaf child, with the ultimate goal of calling for legislation that requires all levels of government to fund programs for deaf children and their families to learn a fully accessible language: a sign language.
How Much Can Classifiers Be Analogous To Their Referents?, R. Sutton-Spence, Donna Jo Napoli
How Much Can Classifiers Be Analogous To Their Referents?, R. Sutton-Spence, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
Sign Language poetry is especially valued for its presentation of strong visual images. Here, we explore the highly visual signs that British Sign Language and American Sign Language poets create as part of the 'classifier system' of their languages. Signed languages, as they create visually-motivated messages, utilise categoricity (more traditionally considered 'language') and analogy (more traditionally considered extra-linguistic and the domain of 'gesture'). Classifiers in sign languages arguably show both these characteristics (Oviedo, 2004). In our discussion of sign language poetry, we see that poets take elements that are widely understood to be highly visual, closely representing their referents, and …
Deaf Jokes And Sign Language Humor, R. Sutton-Spence, Donna Jo Napoli
Deaf Jokes And Sign Language Humor, R. Sutton-Spence, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
This paper describes the humor of Deaf communities, arguing that the humor is related primarily to the dominant visual experience of Deaf people, but also influenced by their knowledge of humor traditions in the hearing society at large. Sign language humor in America and Britain may be seen in the creation of new visual signs, the witty reanalysis of existing signs and in bilingual games in which English is manipulated within sign languages. The content of Deaf humor supports the in-group of community members who embrace their signing collective Deaf identity and denigrates out-group people, including deaf people who do …
Cochlear Implants And The Right To Language: Ethical Considerations, The Ideal Situation, And Practical Measures Toward Reaching The Ideal, T. Humphries, P. Kushalnagar, G. Mathur, Donna Jo Napoli, C. Padden, C. Rathmann, S. Smith
Cochlear Implants And The Right To Language: Ethical Considerations, The Ideal Situation, And Practical Measures Toward Reaching The Ideal, T. Humphries, P. Kushalnagar, G. Mathur, Donna Jo Napoli, C. Padden, C. Rathmann, S. Smith
Linguistics Faculty Works
No abstract provided.
Language Acquisition For Deaf Children: Reducing The Harms Of Zero Tolerance To The Use Of Alternative Approaches, T. Humphries, P. Kushalnagar, G. Mathur, Donna Jo Napoli, C. Padden, C. Rathmann, S. R. Smith
Language Acquisition For Deaf Children: Reducing The Harms Of Zero Tolerance To The Use Of Alternative Approaches, T. Humphries, P. Kushalnagar, G. Mathur, Donna Jo Napoli, C. Padden, C. Rathmann, S. R. Smith
Linguistics Faculty Works
Children acquire language without instruction as long as they are regularly and meaningfully engaged with an accessible human language. Today, 80% of children born deaf in the developed world are implanted with cochlear devices that allow some of them access to sound in their early years, which helps them to develop speech. However, because of brain plasticity changes during early childhood, children who have not acquired a first language in the early years might never be completely fluent in any language. If they miss this critical period for exposure to a natural language, their subsequent development of the cognitive activities …
Review Of "Sign Languages" Edited By D. Brentari, Donna Jo Napoli
Review Of "Sign Languages" Edited By D. Brentari, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
No abstract provided.
Sign Language Humor, Human Singularities, And The Origins Of Language, Donna Jo Napoli, R. Sutton-Spence
Sign Language Humor, Human Singularities, And The Origins Of Language, Donna Jo Napoli, R. Sutton-Spence
Linguistics Faculty Works
No abstract provided.
Deaf Around The World: The Impact Of Language, G. Mathur, Donna Jo Napoli
Deaf Around The World: The Impact Of Language, G. Mathur, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
No abstract provided.
Limitations On Simultaneity In Sign Language, Donna Jo Napoli, R. Sutton-Spence
Limitations On Simultaneity In Sign Language, Donna Jo Napoli, R. Sutton-Spence
Linguistics Faculty Works
When we converse, information is often conveyed in multiple ways. For those using spoken language, we have, besides the vocal tract, nonverbal articulators as well, including eye gaze (Hanna & Brennan 2007), gesture (Kendon 2004), facial expression (Busso & Narayanan 2007), lip pointing (Sherzer 1983), and puffed cheeks (Sherzer 1993). Likewise, for those using a sign language, we have, besides the hands, nonmanual articulators as well, including facial expressions, eye gaze, mouth, and body posture (Baker & Padden 1978). In this short report we investigate how much information can be simultaneously expressed in sign language (by counting ‘propositions’) and conclude …
Infants And Children With Hearing Loss Need Early Language Access, P. Kushalnagar, G. Mathur, C. J. Moreland, Donna Jo Napoli, W. Osterling, C. Padden, C. Rathmann
Infants And Children With Hearing Loss Need Early Language Access, P. Kushalnagar, G. Mathur, C. J. Moreland, Donna Jo Napoli, W. Osterling, C. Padden, C. Rathmann
Linguistics Faculty Works
Around 96 percent of children with hearing loss are born to parents with intact hearing, who may initially know little about deafness or sign language. Therefore, such parents will need information and support in making decisions about the medical, linguistic, and educational management of their child. Some of these decisions are time-sensitive and irreversible and come at a moment of emotional turmoil and vulnerability (when some parents grieve the loss of a normally hearing child). Clinical research indicates that a deaf child's poor communication skills can be made worse by increased level of parental depression. Given this, the importance of …
Language Matters: A Guide To Everyday Questions About Language, Donna Jo Napoli, V. Lee-Schoenfeld
Language Matters: A Guide To Everyday Questions About Language, Donna Jo Napoli, V. Lee-Schoenfeld
Linguistics Faculty Works
Is Ebonics really a dialect or simply bad English? Do women and men speak differently? Will computers ever really learn human language? Does offensive language harm children? These are only a few of the issues surrounding language that crop up every day. Most of us have very definite opinions on these questions one way or another. Yet as linguists Donna Jo Napoli and Vera Lee-Schoenfeld point out in this short and thoroughly readable volume, many of our most deeply held ideas about the nature of language and its role in our lives are either misconceived or influenced by myths and …
Anthropomorphism In Sign Languages: A Look At Poetry And Storytelling With A Focus On British Sign Language, R. Sutton-Spence, Donna Jo Napoli
Anthropomorphism In Sign Languages: A Look At Poetry And Storytelling With A Focus On British Sign Language, R. Sutton-Spence, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
The work presented here considers some linguistic methods used in sign anthropomorphism. We find a cline of signed anthropomorphism that depends on a number of factors, including the skills and intention of the signer, the animacy of the entities represented, the form of their bodies, and the form of vocabulary signs referring to those entities. We consider four main factors that allow signers to anthropomorphize the whole range of entities (from animate to inanimate): the linguistic base that allows such play, the ability of the nonmanuals to anthropomorphize even when the manual articulators are signing in an ordinary way, the …
Handy Stories To Read And Sign, Donna Jo Napoli
Handy Stories To Read And Sign, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
Handy Stories to Read and Sign takes a bilingual, fun approach to help beginning readers, deaf and hearing, improve their comprehension of both English and American Sign Language (ASL). Charmingly illustrated, the five stories presented here increase in complexity as the children’s vocabulary and reading skills increase during the school year. Introductions to each story explain to parents and teachers the elements emphasized, such as providing helpful information on how the formation of certain signs creates ASL rhymes.
Just For The Hell Of It: A Comparison Of Two Taboo-Term Constructions, J. Hoeksema, Donna Jo Napoli
Just For The Hell Of It: A Comparison Of Two Taboo-Term Constructions, J. Hoeksema, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
The two English constructions exemplified in Let's get the hell out of here (type G) and They beat the hell out of him (type B) differ both syntactically and semantically, but in both the taboo expression has the force of an intensifier. History (through a corpus investigation) reveals that the B-construction started as a literal exorcism (beat the devil out of someone), where the hell substituted for the devil, and semantic bleaching ultimately made the literal sense give way to simple emphasis, with any taboo term jumping in. The G-construction may have developed simultaneously, always as an intensifier--or, perhaps, later, …
Energy And Symmetry In Language And Yoga, Sally Hess, Donna Jo Napoli
Energy And Symmetry In Language And Yoga, Sally Hess, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
The structures of syllables and of yoga poses are compared. Syllables are tripartite, with sound segments rising in sonority (acoustic energy) to a peak, then falling. Likewise, asanas are tripartite, with symmetrical movements flanking the sustaining, vital energy peak. In both entities, then, symmetric structure flanks energy peaks. This organization is not a physical necessity, but a cognitive preference.
A Bilingual Approach To Reading, D. Deluca, Donna Jo Napoli
A Bilingual Approach To Reading, D. Deluca, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
No abstract provided.
Signs And Voices: Deaf Culture, Identity, Language, And Arts, K. A. Lindgren, D. Deluca, Donna Jo Napoli
Signs And Voices: Deaf Culture, Identity, Language, And Arts, K. A. Lindgren, D. Deluca, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
This collection, carefully chosen from the recent Signs and Voices Conference, the Presidential Forum on American Sign Language at the Modern Language Association Convention, and other sources, addresses all of the factors now changing the cultural landscape for deaf people. "Taken together, the essays in this book and the accompanying DVD point to new directions in a broad range of fields, including cognitive science, deaf studies, disability studies, education, linguistics, literary criticism, philosophy, and psychology. This showcase of innovative and rigorous cross-disciplinary study will prove invaluable to everyone interested in the current state of the Deaf community.
Access: Multiple Avenues For Deaf People, D. Deluca, I. W. Leigh, K. A. Lindgren, Donna Jo Napoli
Access: Multiple Avenues For Deaf People, D. Deluca, I. W. Leigh, K. A. Lindgren, Donna Jo Napoli
Linguistics Faculty Works
The companion to Signs and Voices: Deaf Culture, Identity, Language, and Arts, this volume presents an accomplished group of contributors who address the major technological, institutional, and societal advances in access for deaf people, as well as the remaining hurdles.
Ho And The Other Kherwarian Languages, G. D. S. Anderson, T. Osada, K. David Harrison
Ho And The Other Kherwarian Languages, G. D. S. Anderson, T. Osada, K. David Harrison
Linguistics Faculty Works
No abstract provided.
Language As An Emergent System, K. David Harrison, E. Raimy
Language As An Emergent System, K. David Harrison, E. Raimy
Linguistics Faculty Works
No abstract provided.
Time In Navajo: Direct And Indirect Interpretation, C. Smith, E. Perkins, Theodore B. Fernald
Time In Navajo: Direct And Indirect Interpretation, C. Smith, E. Perkins, Theodore B. Fernald
Linguistics Faculty Works
This article discusses the temporal interpretation of Navajo sentences. Navajo has linguistic forms that give temporal information: future tense, past and future particles, and temporal adverbials. These forms are optional, so that many sentences contain no direct temporal information. In such cases, aspectual information gives pragmatic cues to the temporal location of the situation expressed. The key factor is boundedness: in the default case, unbounded situations are taken as present and bounded situations as past. Three pragmatic principles explain the inference from aspect to temporal location. The principles, which also hold for certain other languages, apply to verb words with …