LIN 310 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Manually Coded English, Navajo Language, Sign Language
15 May 2020
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Document Summary
Sign language = sequences of movements and configurations of the body. Most linguistic research focuses on spoken languages. Sign language used to be thought of as pantomime or simple gestural codes. Sign language has structural properties of spoken languages yet evolved independently from them. Sign language isn"t only for deaf people. Natural sign languages vs devised or derivative sign languages. Arise spontaneously through time and as a primary communication system. Most linguistic research is focused on this type. Offer clearest evidence about natural tendencies of humans to develop communicative structure in the visual-gestural mode. Not typically the primary language of the inventor. Structures based directly on a spoken language (usually) Research focuses on the structure, use, and acquisition among native speakers/signers. Shares certain typological similarities with navajo language. Manual babbling in babies at around 10 months or earlier. Exposure usually happens later on in life. Most deaf kids are born into hearing families.
