ANNOUNCING: New Web Site for Nicaraguan Sign Language Projects

[James Shepard-Kegl]

Valerie,

Our website has been around for a couple of years.  However, the addition of the downlink to the grammar handbook is brand new.  We will put in a Spanish version, too -- probably get around to it today.

As for the reading SW reading materials -- NSLP does not interfere with school curriculum in Nicaragua, which means, unfortunately, that these materials are not being used -- at least, not so far as I know.  This is a real shame, as this stuff was very popular and useful when we actually did operate a school.  

The problem, of course, is that so many educators only give "lip service" (a Deaf culture pun intended) to the notion that Nicaraguan Sign Language is actually a language.  After all, "If I don't understand the grammar rules, then I am free to conclude that there are no grammar rules.  And, since I have concluded that there are no grammar rules, then I can deduce that the language is not a real language anyway."  Accordingly, we have produced a grammar text that will force educators to either 1) just refuse to read it (probably choice) or 2) concede that the language is more sophisticated and rule governed than they had thought.  This may force some hard choices.

However, our handbook will go nowhere unless we get a sizeable grant to take it from region to region and actually train people in this stuff.  I just did that in Condega -- an eye opener I hope.  Based on lessons learned in that experience, I am writing more grant applications.

-- James
---- Valerie Sutton <signwriting at MAC.COM> wrote: 
> SignWriting List
> May 7, 2013
> 
> Welcome back to the SignWriting List, James!
> 
> and congratulations on your new web site and all your many SignWriting publications...
> 
> And thank you for sharing your most recent Report from the Nicaraguan Sign Language Projects - I love seeing the SignWriting in your reports. You have been working so many years writing Nicaraguan Sign Language - over 40 titles I believe? Can you list some of your book titles for us here? I am interested...
> 
> Here is the latest NSLP Report attached as a PDF:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----------
> 
> 
> On May 7, 2013, at 8:07 AM, Valerie Sutton <signwriting at mac.com> wrote:
> 
> > SignWriting List
> > May 7, 2013
> > 
> > ANNOUNCING:
> > 
> > New Web Site for Nicaraguan Sign Language Projects
> > 
> > Grammar and syntax section (English version) of Nicaraguan Sign Language is now available online 
> > 
> > www.nicaraguansignlanguageprojects.org (Projects Now and Future section)
> > 
> > -- James
>