Research post: early child language development London UK

[Gary Morgan]

We have a new post looking at sign, gesture and spoken language
development.

Language development in the multi-modal child

Based in the Department of Language and Communication Science, City
University London, and the ESRC Research Centre DCAL at UCL, you will
carry out research into children’s language development.

This research continues from our group’s work on language acquisition
in deaf children (e.g. Morgan & Woll, 2002). The research assistant
will work within our team and focus on two specific topics:

1. Integration of Different Communication Channels in language
development. In face-to-face communication different channels are used
(for speakers: speech with face and hand gestures; for signers: signs
with face, mouth and hand gestures). In the project we ask how deaf
and hearing children at the start of language development and both
their deaf or hearing parents use information available in gesture and
face-to-face interactions to express early object and action concepts.
How do early verb predicates emerge from multi-modal communication?

2. Iconic properties of sign language input. In this research we aim
to collect naturalistic and experimental data from children acquiring
BSL as a native language (from deaf signing parents). We plan to look
specifically at domains of knowledge that may be more directly
embodied, such as learning words referring to body actions.
Specifically we will target “child directed signing” and investigate
whether deaf adults draw attention to iconic properties of objects and
actions and how this information influences language development.

Responsibilities

•  To recruit a sample of 1-3 year old deaf and hearing children
•  To lead on the collection of data on naturalistic sign and spoken
language development
•  To assist in the development of experimental methods including eye
tracking and visual world paradigms
•  To lead on the running of testing children’s processing of
iconicity in sign and gesture
•  To transcribe and code naturalistic sign and spoken language data
from video
•  To maintain a data base of children and families
•  To regularly back up and archive research data appropriately
•  To work with more senior researchers in the team to prepare data
for statistical analyses using SPSS
•  To support the team in the presentation of research findings to
relevant forums including academics and stakeholders in the community

Person Specification

•  First degree or postgraduate degree in Psychology, Linguistics or
related discipline
•  Evidence of study or previous research into language acquisition
•  Advanced knowledge of British Sign Language (minimum level 2 BSL)
•  Demonstrable interest in the study of sign language and/or gesture
•  Experience of working in a research project on child development
•  Knowledge of statistics
•  Awareness of the British Deaf community and organisations which
support young deaf children and their families
•  Good communication skills in written and face to face situations
•  A supportive team player

Duration: 24 months full-time
Closing date:  23 February 2011

For more information and to apply, click on the link below.

http://www2.i-grasp.com/fe/tpl_cityuniversity01.asp

For informal enquiries please contact Gary Morgan g.morgan at city.ac.uk







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