Why is it necessary to study the grammar of sign languages?
Why is it necessary to study the grammar of sign languages?
On 4, 5 and 6 May, the Auditorium of UPF Poblenou campus will host FEAST Barcelona 2015, a conference organized by the European network SignGram COST Action IS1006, funded by the Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST Association) programme, and the Department of Translation and Language Sciences.
In addition to the most scientific part, the conference organises an open thematic session whose aim is to present the final result of the cooperation network and to uphold researchers' commitment to linguistic research as a way to ensure the full participation of deaf signer citizens in public life.
As occurs with spoken languages, sign languages also have distinct grammars. However, knowledge of them is fragmentary, they are not always easily accessible, and they vary in quality. One of the main challenges facing research into sign language is, therefore, to establish systematic, comprehensive and reliable descriptions of individual sign languages.
It is crucial to have these grammatical descriptions to develop and implement a wide range of policies related to different areas including the education of deaf children; the recognition and promotion of sign languages; assessment and intervention in language disorders among signing children and adults, and the training of sign language interpreters.
With the aim of discussing the challenges posed in these areas, on the afternoon of 6 May there will be a thematic session entitled "Sign Grammars for Deaf Rights".
At this special session -open to the general public-, the result of the SignGram Blueprint tool, created by researchers from thirteen European countries as well as from Argentina and Australia, will be presented. The tool serves to contribute to filling this fundamental gap in the knowledge of the different sign languages in Europe.
Finally, during the same session, a panel of internationally renowned experts will discuss the relevance of basic linguistic research in order to deploy effective policies. The session will be conducted in English (orally) and Catalan sign language (LSC) and American sign language (ASL)/international sign system (IS) .
Detailed programme of the session of 6 May.
Practical information about the FEAST 2015 Conference.