Sign Language and Linguistic Universals

Sign languages are of great interest to linguists because while they are theproduct of the same brain their physical transmission differs greatly fromthat of sp... » 

Sign languages are of great interest to linguists because while they are theproduct of the same brain their physical transmission differs greatly fromthat of spoken languages. In this pioneering and original study Wendy Sandlerand Diane LilloMartin compare sign languages with spoken languages in orderto seek the universal properties they share. Drawing on general linguistictheory they describe and analyze sign language structure showing linguisticuniversals in the phonology morphology and syntax of sign language whilealso revealing nonuniversal aspects of its structure that must be attributedto its physical transmission system. No prior background in sign languagelinguistics is assumed and numerous pictures are provided to make descriptionsof signs and facial expressions accessible to readers. Engaging andinformative Sign Language and Linguistic Universals will be invaluable tolinguists psychologists and all those interested in sign languageslinguistic theory and the universal properties of human languages. «