Faculty of Translation and Interpretation
Teaching plan/PDA
Year 2015-16
Linguistics of Catalan Sign Language (21584)
Degree/Study: ​
Degree in Applied Languages
Year: ​
4th
Quarter: ​
1st
Number of credits ECTS: ​
4
Hour load by student: ​
100
Subject type: ​
Elective
Instructor/s: ​
Josep Quer
Teaching language: ​
Catalan (and readings in English)
1. Presentation of the subject
The course aims to train students, by using the previously acquired skills in Linguistics for
the analysis of oral languages, to understand the central challenges posed by the grammars
of sign languages –in particular of LSC-, both in description tasks and with respect to the
theoretical approaches to natural languages. On the basis of concrete phenomena, we will try
to identify modality effects on linguistic structure of sign languages, or its absence. With the
same objective we will briefly evaluate some relevant research findings on child acquisition
and neurocognitive processing of sign languages. Prior knowledge of sign languages is not
required.
2. Competencies to acquire
G.1. Abilities for analysis and synthesis
G.3. Critical reasoning
G.4. Search for documentation and research sources
G.5. Information management
G.17. Putting knowledge into practice
E.9. Ability to reflect on the functioning of language
E.12. Skills for managing information and documentation
G.25. Skills for research
3. Contents
●
●
●
Fundamental theoretical concepts of sign language linguistics, especially of LSC.
Technique for linguistic analysis based on the observation of characteristic linguistic
issues raised by sign languages.
Psycho- and neurolinguistic processes underlying a language in the visual-gestural
modality.
4. Assessment and resitting
Assessment
Resitting
Assessment
activity
Percentage over
final mark
Resittable/
Non-resittable
Percentage
over final
mark
Resitting
form
1) Participation
in
classroom
activities
20%
Non-resittable
2) Exam
30%
Resittable
30%
Exam
3) Individual
essay
15%
Resittable
35%
Individual
essay 1
4) Group essay
15%
Resittable
35%
Individual
essay 2
5) Presentation
20%
Non-resittable
Requirement
s and
observations
5. Methodology: training activities
1) Instructor’s exposition: 10%
2) Seminars: 15%
3) Tutoring: 5%
5) Group work: 15%
6) Individual work: 40%
8) Individual study: 15%
The contents of the subject will be developed by the following activities, among others:
- Reading articles on Sign Language Linguistics (mostly in English)
- Case studies
- Preparation and presentation of additional readings in class
6. Basic literature for the subject
Brentari, D. 2010. ​
Cambridge Language Surveys: Sign Languages​
. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Gaskell, G. (Ed). 2007. ​
The Oxford Handbook of Psycholinguistics​
. Oxford: Oxford University
Press
Marschark, Marc & Patricia Elizabeth Spencer. 2010. ​
Oxford Handbook of Deaf Studies,
Language, and Education, ​
Volume 1​
.​
Oxford University Press US.
Martí i Castell, Joan & Josep M. Mestres i Serra (eds.). 2010. ​
Les llengües de signes com a
llengües minoritàries: perspectives lingüístiques, socials i polítiques​
. Barcelona: IEC.
Orfanidou, E., B. Woll & G. Morgan. 2014. ​
Research Methods in Sign Language Studies: A
Practical Guide​
. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.
Pfau, R., M. Steinbach & B. Woll, eds​
. ​
2012. ​
Sign Languages ​
(​
Handbooks of Linguistics and
Communication Science, HSK​
), eds. Berlín: Mouton de Gruyter. (capítulos seleccionados)
Sandler, W. & D. Lillo-Martin. 2006. ​
Sign Language and Linguistic Universals​
. Cambridge
University Press.
Vellupilai, Viveka. 2012. ​
An introduction to Linguistic Typology​
. Ámsterdam: John Benjamins.