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<font size=3>Dear Nicole Kuplenik<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>That's an
important question--and, as you suggest--one that is influenced by
power. In my opinion, classic linguistic terms cannot be
uncritically applied to sign languages. I have serious doubts about
the uses of notions such as subject, object, classifier, agreement, and
others. But as for linguistic methods--these are precisely the
methods that we need in order to determine the structure of sign
languages. It's not the methods that are a problem, but the direct
transfer of categories of analysis that have been established for
(particular) written languages.<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>There's
been a lot written about these issues--both taking the position that I've
just summarized and taking the opposite position. Several recent
books are especially relevant:<br><br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>Emmorey,
K. (Ed.) (2003). <i>Perspectives on classifier constructions in
sign languages</i>. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>Liddell,
S. K. (2003). <i>Grammar, gesture, and meaning in American Sign
Language</i>. Cambridge University Press.<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>Taub, S.
F. (2001). <i>Language from the body: Iconicity and metaphor in
American Sign Language</i>. Cambridge
<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab> </x-tab>University
Press.<br><br>
If you send me your email address, I can send you some papers from our
Sign Language Research Group at the University of California,
Berkeley.<br><br>
Sincerely,<br>
Dan Slobin<br>
Professor of Psychology<br>
University of California, Berkeley<br><br>
At 12:05 PM 10/4/2003 +0200, you wrote:<br>
</font><blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font size=2>Dear
SL-Ling-ists!<br>
<br>
The other day a debate occured in a certain linguistic environment (Sl
and non-SL) on whether classic linguistic methods and terminology can be
used in the field of SLs. :)<br>
Rather frustrating, actually, since the power of power (e.g. higher v.
lower academic rank) prevailed ... <br>
<br>
Could you please share your opinion on this matter? I would also like to
know whether there are any materials on the subject of linguistic and
SL-linguistic teminology.<br>
<br>
Thanks!<br>
<br>
Nicole Kuplenik<br>
Ljubljana School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <br>
Slovenia</font></blockquote><br>
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