Perspectives on British Sign Language and Deafness

First published in 1981 and now reissued with a new preface, Perspectives on British Sign Language and Deafness was the UK’s first deaf-focused research collection, originating from a symposium on British Sign Language held at Lancaster University in April 1980. The book is divided into three parts: psychological, linguistic, and communication aspects. Part One charts the emergence of a more constructive view of deaf people and sign language, as psychologists shift their focus from identifying deficits to exploring positive issues central to the cognitive development of deaf children. Part Two offers a preliminary examination of the linguistics of British Sign Language, while Part Three addresses communication and deafness within the context of a hearing society. This book will be a valuable read for students and researchers of sign language and deaf studies.