Deaf children create their own language: the case of Nicaraguan Sign Language
by Molly Flaherty, University of Edinburgh
Tuesday 24th April
6:30pm – 8pm
Where:
Paterson’s Land, room LG34
Moray House, School of Education,
University of Edinburgh
EH8 8AQ
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/PDjcgLzviuH2
Molly will be talking about:
Nicaraguan Sign Language (NSL) is one of the youngest languages we know. Despite only being 40 years old, NSL already has grammar — rules and patterns that all Nicaraguan signers know. These rules have not been taught to Nicaraguan signers – instead Deaf children are introducing grammar into Nicaraguan Sign Language just by learning and using it. In this presentation, I will show some of the ways in which Deaf Nicaraguan children develop grammar. I will also talk about how in my research I study new patterns in this language in order to better understand how children learn and use language.
The EdSign Lecture Series is a collaboration between Heriot-Watt University, The University of Edinburgh, Queen Margaret University, and members of the deaf/signing community. We provide regular public lectures about sign languages and Deaf Studies.
BSL/English interpretation will be provided. We are grateful to the Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI) and to Heriot-Watt University for sponsoring the interpreters.
This lecture will be live-streamed. The live-stream URL will be set up nearer the time.