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Language Through Signs: International Perspective on Sign Language
Language Through Signs International Perspective on Sign Language Author:Jim Kyle (Editor), Bencie Woll (Editor) The emergence of international interest in the sign language of deaf people corresponds to a greatly improved understanding of minority groups in general. 'The fact that sign language involves the hands and body, has in the past relegated it to the realms of a basic gestural system suited only to handicapped people. The question of whether s... more »uch a language might be systematic had never really been considered.
Through developing awareness in the United States and as a result of legislation on human rights, deaf people began to participate in the decisions of the community. The presence of their language raised the interest of linguists and its study began. In 1981 in Bristol, UK, the Second International Symposium of Sign Language Research took place and the range of topics discussed indicates the type of studies carried out in eight different countries. These are divided along traditional lines and represent sign language as a feature of child development as a marker of the community and as a psychological process. The fact that we can begin to describe these aspects allows us to understand more about deaf people and how they should participate in the community, and gives impetus to the changing education of deaf children. This book, therefore, will be of considerable interest to researchers and educators and provides a uniquely international view of current work.« less