Cross-linguistic studies have shown that despite variations across languages, universal patterns are found within semantic domains. In sign language linguistics, cross-linguistic studies of the...Show moreCross-linguistic studies have shown that despite variations across languages, universal patterns are found within semantic domains. In sign language linguistics, cross-linguistic studies of the iconic patterns per semantic domain have received major attention in recent years. This study investigates iconicity in the semantic domain of animals in Berbey Sign Language – an emerging family sign language in Mali – and compares it to 10 other sign languages. The results of the analysis of the iconic strategies and iconic image in 10 animal signs reveal notable patterns. An overview of the universal tendencies found in the semantic domain of animals is included in the study as well.Show less
Within sign language poetry there is a genre that has not been the subject of scientific research yet, even though it has been around for quite some time: visual vernacular. It differentiates...Show moreWithin sign language poetry there is a genre that has not been the subject of scientific research yet, even though it has been around for quite some time: visual vernacular. It differentiates itself from other types of sign language literature in that it hardly ever uses anything but iconic signs, and this is what makes it internationally comprehensible across sign language borders. It is even understandable to audiences who do not have any knowledge of a sign language. Besides iconic signs, it uses many cinematographic techniques such as role switching from and to different subject or objects within the story. Visual vernacular is different from another type of sign language literature called classifier stories mainly in that the latter uses sign language specific lexicon which visual verancular does not. Another similar form of art, this time outside the sign language realm, is pantomime, but this is different from visual vernacular in many ways, one of the most prominent of which is that pantomime performers are only the storyteller whereas visual vernacular performers swith between the storyteller, main protagonist and any other subject or object in the story. By making a literary overview and using a dataset of different types of visual vernacular stories, this thesis provides an inter and intra sign language poetry genre comparison.Show less
Signed languages are used by deaf communities globally and are considered the languages of deaf people. Late deafened people are also deaf in an audiological sense, although they lost their hearing...Show moreSigned languages are used by deaf communities globally and are considered the languages of deaf people. Late deafened people are also deaf in an audiological sense, although they lost their hearing after acquiring speech, yet are commonly assumed not to learn signed languages. The aim of this thesis was to test this assumption by exploring 1) how frequently late deafened people choose to learn a signed language and 2) the factors which motivate this choice, focusing on native English speakers. Two separate studies were performed using both quantitative and qualitative methods in order to gather data for these two research questions. In the first study 25 adults with hearing loss completed an anonymous online survey comprised of both multiple choice and open questions. The second study analysed five blog posts written by late deafened adults in order to gain insight into their attitudes towards signed languages and their identities in relation to their hearing loss. The survey results showed that over half (59%) of the late deafened participants had learned a signed language, although they did not frequently use it and mostly communicated through speech. The factors which appeared to influence the choice to learn or not were found to be: the participants’ level of satisfaction with their ability to communicate without knowledge of a signed language; the support of their family and friends; and a positive attitude towards both signed languages and the Deaf community. Overall, my research found that late deafened people face a struggle in terms of their attitudes and identity when they become deaf and, although the majority of them continue to use English, many also choose to learn a signed language.Show less
