stuttering in signed languages

[Cat Parker]

Hello all,

I recently had a client whose name was "johnny", while
spelling his name to me, he signed the "N" about 5-7
times. It was done in the bounce fashion, very
distinct separate letter(s). He then preceeded to
repeat most signs, some fully formed others not. Not
in the Deaf way as to go++ to the store, as in a
stutter. However, the client was in his late 60's
early 70's and medicated. I dont know if Parkinsons
was involved, the medication was having an effect, but
it was the first time I thought "hrmm stuttering in
sign". 
any thoughts?
Cat Parker
--- Karen Emmorey <kemmorey at mail.sdsu.edu> wrote:

> In some recent talks, I have hypothesized that
> stuttering might be  
> rare in sign language because there is a weak link
> between visual  
> feedback and sign production.  Some theories of
> stuttering  
> hypothesize a disruption between auditory feedback
> and speech  
> production.  Also, delayed auditory feedback can
> cause stuttering and  
> can sometimes improve symptoms in stutterers.  So
> I've been following  
> the anecdotes to see whether I could rule out sign
> stuttering due to  
> late learning or as an effect that carries over from
> speech in  
> hearing signers.  So I guess we have an interesting
> result either  
> way.  If stuttering turns out to be as common in
> signers as in  
> speakers, then this suggests that stuttering is
> indeed a language  
> disorder.  On the other hand, if stuttering turns
> out to be rare in  
> sign language, this supports my hypothesis that
> visual feedback is  
> not strongly linked to language output, compared to
> spoken language.
> 
> Karen Emmorey
> 
> *****************************************
> Dr. Karen Emmorey
> Professor, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
> San Diego State University
> 
> Director, Laboratory for Language and Cognitive
> Neuroscience
> 6495 Alvarado Road, Suite 200
> San Diego, CA 92120
> 
> Office (voice); (619) 594-8080
> Lab (voice): (619) 594-8049
> Fax: (619) 594-8056
> email: kemmorey at mail.sdsu.edu
> 
> Lab website:  http://emmoreylab.sdsu.edu
> 
> 
> 
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