Sign Languages: Structures and Contexts provides a succinct summary of major findings in the linguistic study of natural sign languages. Focusing on American Sign Language (ASL), this book:
- offers a comprehensive introduction to the basic grammatical components of phonology, morphology, and syntax with examples and illustrations;
- demonstrates how sign languages are acquired by Deaf children with varying degrees of input during early development, including no input where children create a language of their own;
- discusses the contexts of sign languages, including how different varieties are formed and used, attitudes towards sign languages, and how language planning affects language use;
- is accompanied by e-resources, which host links to video clips.
Offering an engaging and accessible introduction to sign languages, this book is essential reading for students studying this to
