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The Linguistics of British Sign Language: An Introduction
This is the first textbook dealing specifically with British sign linguistics. It provides essential support for learners of British Sign Language and others interested in the structure and use of BSL, and assumes no previous knowledge of linguistics and sign language. Technical terms and linguistic jargon are kept to a minimum. The book contains over three hundred illustrations and an index of signs and sign phrases. There are also exercises and a reading list for further independent study.
316 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 30, 2017
I have read several books on sign language linguistics over the last couple of years, and this was one of the best. As the title suggests, the authors focus on British Sign Language. They give an excellent overview of all its main aspects: what signs look like, how grammar works, the importance of using the face, how finger-spelling fits into the rest of the language. It's all very nicely explained, and I was curious to note the similarities and differences compared with Langue des Signes Française, the sign language I'm most familiar with; but I think the chapters which people here will find most interesting are the final ones on sociolinguistics. There were two sections in particular that my thoughts have been revisiting all day. The first was on inappropriate and insulting language, and, as so often, sign language exposes a philosophical aspect of linguistics from a new angle. In this case, the question was one that I'm surprised I've never considered before: what is an insult?
At first, this may not sound interesting. We all know what an insult is, don't we? But I soon realised that in fact I didn't know. The authors, in their usual down-to-earth style, consider racial slurs. It turns out that the traditional BSL sign for CHINESE (you can see it here) suggests that Chinese have slitty eyes, something that has led many hearing people to condemn it as insensitive and racist. But apparently Chinese signers aren't upset: they usually just point out that the sign EUROPEAN in Chinese Sign Language is based on the idea that Europeans have round eyes. What is insulting is to sign CHINESE while making an aggressive and contemptuous face. And in fact, any sign can become insulting if done this way. It's insulting to sign YOU (pointing to the other person) with an aggressive/contemptuous expression.
The other section that caught my imagination was the one on poetry. As described here, sign language poetry is remarkably like the poetry we're used to, except for the fact that it's silent: it involves sparse, careful and elegant use of language, where the normal rules of syntax can be temporarily suspended if it's necessary to achieve the desired effect. There's a striking example from a poem by Dot Miles (I had never heard of her, but they say she was unquestionably the 20th century's greatest BSL poet); signing a line which describes a tree reflected in the water of a pool, she coins a new sign TWIN-TREES as a kind of visual onomatopoeia.
It's all quite inspiring. I will try harder to make progress with these difficult but rewarding languages...
At first, this may not sound interesting. We all know what an insult is, don't we? But I soon realised that in fact I didn't know. The authors, in their usual down-to-earth style, consider racial slurs. It turns out that the traditional BSL sign for CHINESE (you can see it here) suggests that Chinese have slitty eyes, something that has led many hearing people to condemn it as insensitive and racist. But apparently Chinese signers aren't upset: they usually just point out that the sign EUROPEAN in Chinese Sign Language is based on the idea that Europeans have round eyes. What is insulting is to sign CHINESE while making an aggressive and contemptuous face. And in fact, any sign can become insulting if done this way. It's insulting to sign YOU (pointing to the other person) with an aggressive/contemptuous expression.
The other section that caught my imagination was the one on poetry. As described here, sign language poetry is remarkably like the poetry we're used to, except for the fact that it's silent: it involves sparse, careful and elegant use of language, where the normal rules of syntax can be temporarily suspended if it's necessary to achieve the desired effect. There's a striking example from a poem by Dot Miles (I had never heard of her, but they say she was unquestionably the 20th century's greatest BSL poet); signing a line which describes a tree reflected in the water of a pool, she coins a new sign TWIN-TREES as a kind of visual onomatopoeia.
It's all quite inspiring. I will try harder to make progress with these difficult but rewarding languages...
May 24, 2020
It took me five months to study the bible of BSL linguistics, and it was certainly worth the time. I would recommend it to anyone learning BSL at any level (the earliest the better). It is crucial to understand how the language works to become fluent at it. I still frequently return to this for reference.
September 27, 2024
High-level analysis of BSL that has many considerations, both inter- and cross-lingual! Super nuanced and remains unbiased to a side and presents a neutral faithful reasoning where applicable. This will not teach you sign language; the title is a perfect descriptor of what it aims to do.
My only gripe is a minor oversight that perhaps fails to consider British-Asian individuals in reference to insults, specifically the old CHINESE sign. It's certainly true that non-Hua Chinese will not care as much about eye shape, as it is part of their culture, and will generally not experience racism as opposed to Asians abroad 😊 Regardless, I loved the different perspectives, particularly related to social issues and differences, and remains descriptive, not prescriptive.
I'd love to see a modern re-analysis/re-introduction, especially with more studies, change, and resources available!
My only gripe is a minor oversight that perhaps fails to consider British-Asian individuals in reference to insults, specifically the old CHINESE sign. It's certainly true that non-Hua Chinese will not care as much about eye shape, as it is part of their culture, and will generally not experience racism as opposed to Asians abroad 😊 Regardless, I loved the different perspectives, particularly related to social issues and differences, and remains descriptive, not prescriptive.
I'd love to see a modern re-analysis/re-introduction, especially with more studies, change, and resources available!
January 3, 2023
After a quick skim, it's a little heavy to start with, but it gets to be an easier read later. I have done the level one BSL course, but I couldn't imagine reading and understanding this without knowing any signing.
This book is quite heavy going - it covers the mechanics and linguistics of British Sign Language. I bought the book thinking that it would help me with my BSL course, but it seems I've not needed to know the content this book covers.
This book is quite heavy going - it covers the mechanics and linguistics of British Sign Language. I bought the book thinking that it would help me with my BSL course, but it seems I've not needed to know the content this book covers.
August 27, 2022
Wish I could keep this as a reference as reading it straight through was informative, but there was so much I doubt I'll retain it.
This does not have hand shape development (typical development sequence), keep looking.
Available again through NHS Libraries if needed
This does not have hand shape development (typical development sequence), keep looking.
Available again through NHS Libraries if needed
January 3, 2024
I wish I could find the video that went along with it but it's very useful for someone beginning to learn BSL. I think I'll have to revisit in the future when I know more BSL. I probably won't remember all the linguistic terms but I think I learned a good amount about the concepts.
May 26, 2015
I'm currently studying Level 1 British Sign Language at Harrow College. I decided to read this book because I'm intending to progress as far as I can with studying BSL and later levels will involve linguistics. More importantly, I'm interested in BSL as a language in and of itself, so wanted to learn more about its nuts and bolts.
Despite being a textbook, this book is very easy to read and actually quite funny in parts. It's not written in a way that would require you to know a lot about linguistics before reading – I certainly don't! The pictures were also very helpful, though it is always hard to convey visual-gestural languages in static images. The comparisons to other sign languages and spoken languages were very illuminating. I didn't try the exercises at the end of each chapter, but when I get my own copy of this book I may give them a go as they seemed useful.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone learning BSL, either those studying at a higher level or who are generally interested in the language. I found learning about the linguistics of BSL suited my scientific brain and gave me more of an understanding of the logic behind the signs I've been learning, as well as learning about Deaf culture. (Also, my teacher is in it!)
Despite being a textbook, this book is very easy to read and actually quite funny in parts. It's not written in a way that would require you to know a lot about linguistics before reading – I certainly don't! The pictures were also very helpful, though it is always hard to convey visual-gestural languages in static images. The comparisons to other sign languages and spoken languages were very illuminating. I didn't try the exercises at the end of each chapter, but when I get my own copy of this book I may give them a go as they seemed useful.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone learning BSL, either those studying at a higher level or who are generally interested in the language. I found learning about the linguistics of BSL suited my scientific brain and gave me more of an understanding of the logic behind the signs I've been learning, as well as learning about Deaf culture. (Also, my teacher is in it!)
June 28, 2016
This book for me was essential reading for my BSL Stage 2 course. It covers sign orders and structures, negation, classifiers, storytelling, poetry and lots,lots more besides, without being too 'heavy'. The illustrations, of which there are many, only enhance it further still. (even though its true, I have to say that, as my former sign language teacher is one of the people modelling the illustrations!!!) I have read this book from cover to cover numerous times over. It took me through my BSL Stage 2 coure and then through my Deaf Studies 'CSW' course. If you are thinking of buying this book, stop thinking, just get out there and buy it, you will be pleased you did!!!
November 28, 2013
I'm doing a BSL level 3 course at the moment and this book was so incredibly useful. It helped to clarify and organise the larger volume of vocab, grammar and BSL concepts I'm currently absorbing. To somebody doing level 1 it will be a bit of an overkill, but I am able to pick up & understand my BSL level 3 much quicker due to this book. Strongly recommended to serious students of BSL.
November 9, 2014
Very good and well explained information. Easy to understand and very accessible for sign language learners. Helped me a lot during any kind of research for essays and presentations.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews