Fifteen deaf elementary-age children were observed in free play, and their interactions were videotaped. Differences were noted in the interaction and communication skills of children with early sign language experience and orally trained deaf children with late sign language experience. (CL)

Describes discourse development in the sign language of 24 profoundly deaf children. Findings indicate children were acquiring appropriate discourse strategies comparable to those used by hearing children in spoken conversations and adult deaf signers. (DF)

Reports on a study of the status of sign language in universities and colleges that offer major concentration in education of the deaf. Results show that there is no standard for or consistency in the place of sign language at schools offering majors in the education of the deaf. (SED)

The article describes the use of the Dynamic Audio Video Instructional Device (DAVID), designed to provide receptive sign language practice via interactive television for the staff at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Examples of lessons are presented to illustrate principles of interactive computer assisted video instructional…

Differential effects of parental deafness and early exposure to manual communication were not observed in the cognitive and communication performance of the 38 experimental subjects. Furthermore, the Delayed sign language group performed significantly better than the early American Sign Language group on tests of speech perception and speech…

Reports on a study that tests the hypothesis that simultaneous speech-sign instruction is beneficial for learning for a hearing but language-delayed child. The hypothesis assumes that the child would first demonstrate a preference for sign in labeling vocabulary items but would eventually drop the sign supplement as vocabulary became less…

The authors look at issues involving language and culture which are associated with educational problems and needs of deaf and hearing children (born to deaf parents). (Author)

A total of 79 profoundly deaf 8- to 12-year-old children were tested for comprehension of spoken, written, and signed (Paget-Gorman Sign System, PGSS) English grammatical contrasts. It is concluded that the PGSS provides a communication channel that does not hinder language acquisition, but does not overcome the grammatical problems of deaf…

The effectiveness of verbal, sign, and simultaneous systems for the acquisition of receptive language by an autistic boy was investigated. Results suggest nonsignificant differences among the three methods. (Author/SEW)

A case study of a prelingually hearing impaired boy with bilateral severe to profound sensory neural hearing loss is presented. Separate analyses of spoken and signed language were made indicating that signs had become vehicles for attaching meaning to sounds. (Author/CL)

Research on generalized instruction following suggested that strategies employing linguistic elements (verbs, nouns, adjectives, etc.) arranged in systematic combination matrices were successful in producing generalized and novel responses among three moderately to severely retarded six and seven year old children. (Author)

Research is reviewed on bilingual education and its application to the education of hearing-impaired students. Assessment procedures for obtaining valid samples of language behavior, distinguishing between competence and performance, and considering language variation are emphasized. (CL)

Examines the characteristics of diglossia and applies them to the current sign language situation in the United States. Concludes diglossia does not exist and argues that what is really happening is code switching between languages and style shifting within a language. (EKN)

Presents an approach that seeks to understand the sociocultural context of communication analysis among deaf children. The discussion has three parts: (1) identification of components of an anthropological approach and discussion of its relevance to deaf communication research; (2) description of a current research project; and (3) discussion of…