Standardization of Sign Languages

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Standardization of Sign Languages
Language: English
Authors: Adam, Robert
Source: Sign Language Studies. Sum 2015 15(4):432-445.
Availability: Gallaudet University Press. 800 Florida Avenue NE, Denison House, Washington, DC 20002-3695. Tel: 202-651-5488; Fax: 202-651-5489; Web site: http://gupress.gallaudet.edu/SLS.html
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2015
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Standard Setting, Academic Standards, Sign Language, Models, Professional Associations, Position Papers, Alignment (Education), Civil Rights Legislation, Educational Practices, Educational Development, Case Studies, Educational History, Educational Policy, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Australia, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands
ISSN: 0302-1475
Abstract: Over the years attempts have been made to standardize sign languages. This form of language planning has been tackled by a variety of agents, most notably teachers of Deaf students, social workers, government agencies, and occasionally groups of Deaf people themselves. Their efforts have most often involved the development of sign language books with lists of signs in alphabetical order (as distinct from sign language principles) and more recently as CDROMs, DVDs, or websites. With regard to the all-important question about language standardization, Karin Hoyer asks, "Who is behind the effort?" and goes on to say that "standardization actions (often with the aim of reducing lexical variation) have frequently been undertaken with the strong support of the hearing-run education system--from outside, often without any support from the language users themselves" (2012, 32). Today, sign language planning is still carried out largely by hearing professionals; thus, that standardization still needs to be examined in relation to "language ownership" (Eichmann 2009).
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 30
Entry Date: 2015
Access URL: https://gupress.gallaudet.edu/SLS/SLS15-4.html
Accession Number: EJ1071531
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Over the years attempts have been made to standardize sign languages. This form of language planning has been tackled by a variety of agents, most notably teachers of Deaf students, social workers, government agencies, and occasionally groups of Deaf people themselves. Their efforts have most often involved the development of sign language books with lists of signs in alphabetical order (as distinct from sign language principles) and more recently as CDROMs, DVDs, or websites. With regard to the all-important question about language standardization, Karin Hoyer asks, "Who is behind the effort?" and goes on to say that "standardization actions (often with the aim of reducing lexical variation) have frequently been undertaken with the strong support of the hearing-run education system--from outside, often without any support from the language users themselves" (2012, 32). Today, sign language planning is still carried out largely by hearing professionals; thus, that standardization still needs to be examined in relation to "language ownership" (Eichmann 2009).
ISSN:0302-1475