Abstract
In this chapter we provide a history of sign language linguistics, beginning with misconceptions about sign languages. Different stages in the development of sign linguistics are covered, starting with the pre-linguistic era, which includes different methods for deaf education. During the early linguistic period Bernard Tervoort's work was followed by influential work of William Stokoe and Edward Klima & Ursula Bellugi. The chapter reviews research in other countries than the US before turning to recent developments in the various areas of grammar, concluding with some special topics are such emerging new sign languages, gestures, diachronic change, typology, iconicity, and artistic expression.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | International Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics, Third Edition |
| Subtitle of host publication | 14 Volume Set |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Pages | Vol2:82-Vol2:105 |
| Volume | 1-14 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780443222863 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780080547848 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2026 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2026 Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.
Keywords
- Compositional phonology
- Compounds
- Deaf education
- Dual patterning (dual articulation)
- Fingerspelling
- Generative Grammar
- Gesture
- Grammaticalization
- Iconic phonology
- Iconicity
- Manualism
- Mouthing
- Myths (about sign languages)
- Non-manuals
- Oralism
- Phonetics
- Prosody
- Sign
- Sign linguistics
- Sign phonology
- Transcription systems
- Village languages
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Arts and Humanities
- General Social Sciences
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