Variation in British Sign Language

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• Dr Rachel Sutton-Spence, Centre for Deaf Studies, University of Bristol
• Thursday 27 November 2008, 17:00-18:30
• GR06-7, English Faculty, 9 West Road (Sidgwick Site).

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Catherine Davies.

The sign language of the British Deaf community is no more uniform than any other living language. As well as showing a great deal of regional variation, BSL is influenced by other social and identity factors such as age, gender, ethnic origin and educational and family background influence BSL . Some variation is similar to that seen in other languages in Britain and some is specific to the unique position of the Deaf community within British society. Additionally there is evidence of rapid language change as Deaf society has changed and continues to change. This seminar outlines some effects of social factors on pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and discourse on the beautiful, dynamic and fascinating visual language that is BSL .

This talk is part of the Cambridge University Linguistic Society series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• Cambridge Forum of Science and Humanities
• Cambridge Language Sciences
• Cambridge University Linguistic Society
• Chris Davis' list
• GR06-7, English Faculty, 9 West Road (Sidgwick Site)
• Guy Emerson's list
• Language Sciences for Graduate Students

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