Support for learners, assuming no prior knowledge of linguistics. Includes an index of signs and phrases, plus exercises and a reading list. 366 b/w illus.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Conventions used in the text; 1. Linguistics and sign linguistics; 2. BSL in its social context; 3. Constructing sign sentences; 4. Questions and negation; 5. Mouth patterns and non-manual features in BSL; 6. Morphology and morphemes in BSL; 7. Aspect, manner and mood; 8. Space types and verb types in BSL; 9. The structure of gestures and signs; 10. Visual motivation and metaphor; 11. The established and productive lexicons; 12. Borrowing and naming signs; 13. Socially unacceptable signs; 14. Extended use of language in BSL; Table of illustrations; Index; Index of signs; Bibliography.