Myths about sign language

Myths about sign language ASL is used throughout world

Sign Language Myths about sign language ASL is used throughout world Sign is simple language

Sign Language Myths about sign language ASL is used throughout world Sign is simple language All deaf in US use ASL

Sign Language Myths about sign language ASL is used throughout world Sign is simple language All deaf in US use ASL Sign languages are easy to learn

Sign Language Myths about sign language ASL is used throughout world Sign is simple language All deaf in US use ASL Sign languages are easy to learn Parent of deaf children learn sign

Sign Language Myths about sign language ASL is used throughout world Sign is simple language All deaf in US use ASL Sign languages are easy to learn Parent of deaf children learn sign Sign language is purely iconic

Sign Language Myths about sign language ASL is used throughout world Sign is simple language All deaf in US use ASL Sign languages are easy to learn Parent of deaf children learn sign Sign language is purely iconic Sign languages have no grammar

Sign Language Myths about sign language ASL is used throughout world Sign is simple language All deaf in US use ASL Sign languages are easy to learn Parent of deaf children learn sign Sign language is purely iconic Sign languages have no grammar ASL is just signed English/finger spelling

Sign Language Myths about sign language ASL is used throughout world Sign is simple language All deaf in US use ASL Sign languages are easy to learn Parent of deaf children learn sign Sign language is purely iconic Sign languages have no grammar ASL is just signed English/finger spelling Sign doesn't change of have dialects

Sign Language ASL versus English

Sign Language ASL versus English Plural is suffix in English In ASL plural is done with quantifier sign or reduplication

Sign Language ASL versus English Plural is suffix in English In ASL plural is done with quantifier sign or reduplication Tense is marked with words and suffixes In ASL past is behind body and future far in front of body. Where sign is done shows tense. In English question is marked with inflection or word order In ASL raised eyebrows mark question

Sign Language ASL versus English Plural is suffix in English In ASL plural is done with quantifier sign or reduplication Tense is marked with words and suffixes In ASL past is behind body and future far in front of body. Where sign is done shows tense. In English question is marked with inflection or word order In ASL raised eyebrows mark question In English question words begin sentence In ASL they are at the end of the sentence

Does ASL count as a foreign language requirement? Sign Language Does ASL count as a foreign language requirement?

Sign Language Spoken languages use: Sounds in different sequences Words in different sequences Tone changes

Sign Language Spoken languages use: Sounds in different sequences Words in different sequences Tone changes Signed languages use Different hand shapes Movement of the hands Position of the hands Facial expressions

Language Death What kills languages?

What kills languages? Physical death Disease War Natural disasters Language Death What kills languages? Physical death Disease War Natural disasters

Language Death What kills languages? Physical death Disease War Natural disasters Social reasons Avoid discrimination Employment/social advancement Avoid punishment/imprisonment

Language Death #1 thing that kills a language? Parent stop talking to their children in the langauge

Language Revitalization Resurrecting a dead (or nearly dead ) language

Language Revitalization Resurrecting a dead (or nearly dead ) language Best way to do this? Speak to your children

Language Revitalization Resurrecting a dead (or nearly dead ) language Best way to do this? Speak to your children 2nd best way? Classes

Language Revitalization How fluent do L2 speakers get with classroom instruction?

Language Revitalization How fluent do L2 speakers get with classroom instruction? What produces fluency?

Language Revitalization How fluent do L2 speakers get with classroom instruction? What produces fluency? Is classroom experience different for heritage language learners?

Language Revitalization When a language dies that is the equivalent to dropping a bomb on a museum