A study of the nature and function of British Sign Language (BSL) as used in the British deaf community is described. The study examined two hypotheses: (1) that the notion of diglossia applies to the British deaf signing community, and (2) that the low variety of BSL will exploit the visual medium in its grammar to a greater extent than the high…

The manual is intended as a course resource to help hearing secondary students learn to communicate with deaf peers or family members. The total communication approach is described and reasons for its use advanced. An introductory section explains the philosophy, general goals, and program objectives of the course. Ten lesson plans are then…

The reference manual of preferred sign language signs represents an effort by a special South Carolina task force to develop a single, systematized approach for signing in instructional settings throughout the state. The manual, which contains illustrations and instructions for formation of approximately 2,500 signs, was developed by establishing…

The paper provides a theoretical framework for the inclusion of a verbal intelligence test as part of the psychodiagnostic assessment battery used with deaf children. Descriptions are provided for three selected sign language varieties being used in a study designed to examine performance of 30 deaf children (9-16 years old) on signed…

The observational study examined the sign language and communication abilities of 10 nonspeaking, autistic and autisticlike children (6 to 14 years old) involved in simultaneous communication training. Video data were collected as each child interacted with his/her therapist and with an unfamiliar adult. Analyses of the children's and adults'…

The selected and annotated bibliography contains 22 book entries and nine entries on films and teaching media dealing with sign language. Each entry is described and its usage analyzed. Asterisks precede new titles. (JM)

To expand sign language for simultaneous use along with fingerspelling and speech, signs were created for English terms frequently used in the classroom. Those signs judged very good or excellent in clarity and appearance were retained and selected ones taught by closed circuit television to Gallaudet students. Entering preparatory students…

The mother of a young deaf child describes her son's progress in communicating through sign and verbal language. (CL)

The variable usage of Negative Incorporation as a phonological process in French Sign Language (FSL) and as a grammatical process in American Sign Language (ASL) is described. In addition, the historical continuum between FSL and ASL despite heavy restructuring is shown. (HP)

The recent rapid expansion in postsecondary educational opportunities for the deaf has led to the need for a structured approach to the standardization and development of technical sign vocabulary. (Author)

This paper attempts to outline some of the more obvious implications of the knowledge of a semantically related class of signs, signs relating to sexual behavior, for descriptive and theoretical sociolinguistic and anthropological studies and for applied research in the areas of language and education, medicine, and the law. (Author/CFM)

This report outlines current theories and practices of second language teaching and suggests possible applications of these theories and practices to the teaching of American Sign Language to non-signers. (CFM)

A multimodal intervention program designed for a nine-year-old with severe communication problems (secondary to cerebral palsy, receptive dysphasia, and auditory agnosia) combined manual signs and graphic symbols to help her communicate. The intensive, highly structured program had significant positive results. (Author/CB)