I'm doing a dissertation on sign language and need help?

Question

I recently began a sign language course this year and have also decided that i am going to carry out a dissertation on it. Sign language has always intriguid me and now i am delving into its syntax i.e sentence structure. My supervisor is very excited about it but i am finding it hard to do a literature review on it. My question which will be tweaked is to assess the use of wh-questions in sign language through second language aquistion. I recieved some great answers but my question was very broad. anyone out there whom answered please get in touch i would really appreciate the help and expertise. Cheers

Answer 1

First, you´ll have to choose between two theories: sign language as a second language or as a foreign language. It´s all a matter of opinion because, quite frankly, there are good arguments on both sides. My personal opinion favors the first. Long story short, whenever we talk about languages (second or foreign) we have to consider the learning situation. According to Douglas Brown, people learn second languages in host countries (that is, someone learning English in an English-speaking country) and foreign languages, in foreign countries (for example, someone learning English in China). As you can see, culture plays an important part in both situations. In second language learning, the learner is in direct contact with the second culture but, in foreign language learning, he is not.
All users of sign languages were born and raised in a certain environment (the U.S., for example). Therefore, American culture is their first culture. Since they have some kind of hearing impairment, they learn to communicate with their peers, with whom they share the same cultural background (= their second culture). Since language and culture go hand in hand, their sign language is their second language. In addition, just by watching people talk and/or by reading lips, these individuals, ever since they were born, have been exposed to English (to a certain extent).

Here are some sites that may help you:
ASL (American Sign Language):
www.deafllibrary.org/asl.html
www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/asl.asp
www.lessontutor.com/ASLgenhome.html

BSL (British Sign Language):
www.UltraSites.cc
www.EveryRule.com
www.learnbsl.org/

Good luck! Very interesting topic you´ve chosen.

Answer 2

Hey! im not one from before but why not do a comparative study with other countries to see how different sign languages have developed the way their ask question...because then you can see the cultural differences that have developed the language and maybe find a common denominator..?! anyway hope that helps!!

Answer 3

i think of human beings would think of ur questionnaire is merely too invasive. i think of its ok nevertheless. u choose 2 examine ur spellings and all. am i perfect in asserting that u r no longer eu? no offence fairly, merely curious. i endure in ideas doing a questionnaire as quickly as. wot u ought to do is to bypass to a place the place there are a lot of human beings, yet no longer too busy or they wont choose to respond to you, like a city centre interior the morning. sturdy success!!! :)