Opetussuunnitelmat

Objective

This module builds upon students’ reflection upon different national sign languages and
their initial encounter with international signed communication in module 1.1. Students
will be introduced to and reflect upon International Sign (IS). They will acquire linguistic
skills that will enable them to engage more fully in transnational signed communication.
They will reflect on the unique potential of IS as a communicative practice in the
international Deaf community as well as its limitations. Students will apply linguistic
concepts learned in module 1.1 to the analysis of IS and become aware of its structure.
They will also be aware of the controversies concerning the political and linguistic status
of IS.

The module provides skills and insights to be built upon in subsequent modules of the
international skills strand of the study programme, in particular, modules 3.1
(“Translating between International Sign and English”) and 4.1 (“Interpreting between
English and International Sign”).

Content

– History of international signed communication
– Function and uses of international signed communication across Deaf communities
– Status of IS in relation to other contact languages (Pidgins, Creoles)
– Structure and variation in IS
– Comparison between morphological and syntactic features of national sign
languages and IS
– Introduction of lexical items commonly used in IS
– Practicing structural features and communication strategies in IS

Materials

Adam, R.. 2012. Language contact and borrowing. In Sign Language: An International
Handbook, Roland Pfau, Markus Steinbach and Bencie Woll (eds), 841-862. Berlin:
Mouton de Gruyter.
Allsop, L., B. Woll, Bencie and J. Brauti. 1995. International sign: The creation of an
international deaf community and sign language. In Sign Language Research 1994,
H. F. Bos and G. Schermer (eds), 171–188. Hamburg: Signum.
Hiddinga, A., and O. Crasborn. 2011. Signed languages and globalization. Language in
Society 40: 483–505.
Moody, W. 2002. International Sign: A Practitioner’s Perspective. Journal of
Interpretation: 1–47.
Rosenstock, R.. 2004. An Investigation of International Sign: Analyzing Structure and
Comprehension. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University.
Rosenstock, R., and J. Napier (eds.). 2016. International Sign: Linguistic Usage, and
Status Issues. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.
Supalla, T. and Webb, R.. 1995. The Grammar of International Sign: A New Look at
Pidgin Languages. In Language, Gesture, and Space, Karen D. Emmorey and Judy
S. Reilly (eds), 333–352. Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Whynot, L. A. 2017. Understanding International Sign: A Sociolinguistic Study.
Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.
Woll, B.. 1990. International Perspectives on Sign Language Communication.
International Journal of Sign Linguistics 1:2: 107-120.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Further information

Assessment methods
(1) Submission of electronic portfolio (75%; reassessment: revised portfolio)
(2) Contribution to IS online activities (25%; reassessment: individual interview)
Assessment criteria:
– Electronic portfolio:
(a) Analysis: Precision and clarity of transcription (40%); use of transcription
conventions and tools (20%); clarity and appropriateness of analytical comments
(40%).
(b) Comparison: Clarity and appropriateness of comparison (60%); use of literature
(20%); use of academic conventions (20%).
(c) Production: Clarity and appropriateness of IS use (lexicon, grammar,
communicative strategies; 100%)
Each part of the portfolio will account for 25% of the overall assessment.
– IS contribution: Clarity and appropriateness of IS use (80%); appropriateness and
relevance of chosen topic (20%).
The assessments relate to the stated learning outcomes in a transparent way: Part (c) of
the portfolio and the IS contribution relate to the stated learning outcomes that refer to
language awareness and use. Parts (a) and (b) of the portfolio relate to stated learning
outcomes that refer to the analysis of IS, the application of linguistic concepts, and the
use of transcription tools and concepts