Post on 30-Dec-2015
description
Sign Language SurveySign Language SurveyAmericas AreaAmericas Area
Jason & Elizabeth Jason & Elizabeth ParksParks
AEPLS 2008AEPLS 2008
In a NutshellIn a Nutshell In 2007, we used questionnaires, In 2007, we used questionnaires,
participant observation, wordlist participant observation, wordlist comparisons, and RTTs in Guatemala comparisons, and RTTs in Guatemala and Peruand Peru
We are trying to adapt and/or refine We are trying to adapt and/or refine existing survey methodologies to work existing survey methodologies to work effectively with signed languageseffectively with signed languages
E.g. How do we compare wordlists?E.g. How do we compare wordlists?
A Signed Word: CATA Signed Word: CAT
Coding HandshapesCoding Handshapes
Gs.>F.Gs.>F.
Gs F
Gs.SFFace.>F.SN.Gs.SFFace.>F.SN.
Coding LocationCoding Location
Coding MovementCoding Movement Arc: Arc: ArcArc Brush:Brush: Brush Brush Circle:Circle: Circle Circle Direction: Direction: DirectDirect Flick:Flick: Flick Flick Hit:Hit: Hit Hit Hold: Hold: HoldHold Pull:Pull: Pull Pull Push:Push: Push Push
Rub:Rub: Rub Rub Shake (no twisting):Shake (no twisting):
ShakeShake Squeeze:Squeeze: Squee Squee Tap:Tap: Tap Tap Trill (fingers only):Trill (fingers only): Trill Trill Twist (in wrist or Twist (in wrist or
elbow):elbow): Twist Twist Weave:Weave: Weave Weave
Gs.SFFace.Pull.>F.SN.Squee.Gs.SFFace.Pull.>F.SN.Squee.
Current ChallengesCurrent Challenges
How best to adapt survey methodology for How best to adapt survey methodology for sign languages sign languages How best to code signsHow best to code signs How to adapt RTTs How to adapt RTTs
More personnel – only 5 in SIL currently More personnel – only 5 in SIL currently assigned to the hundreds of sign assigned to the hundreds of sign languages believed to existlanguages believed to exist
Wisdom as we help train new surveyors Wisdom as we help train new surveyors with our very limited experiencewith our very limited experience