The Signs of Language

In a book with far-reaching implications, Edward S. Klima and Ursula Bellugi present a full exploration of a language in another mode--a language of the hands and of the eyes. They discuss the origin and development of American Sign Language, the internal structure of its basic units, the grammatical processes it employs, and its heightened use in poetry and wit. The authors draw on research, much of it by and with deaf people, to answer the crucial question of what is fundamental to language as language and what is determined by the mode (vocal or gestural) in which a language is produced.

As a Deaf person whose first language was English, and who was required in college to take a foreign language I had to, of course, learn ASL. I started using ASL when I totally lost my hearing to get information in my classes which I couldn't get through lipreading. As I progressed in Neuroscience and Science education for my Ph.D. I found that I needed to know more about ASL and the grammar and syntax of it. This particular book was required for one of my classes studying English versus ASL grammar. Because the book is so heavy duty, I did not read enough for the book or language to make sense. It wasn't until I read the book over summer vacation, very slowly, that I gleaned the vital information which I needed as both an educator and a neuroscientist.

This is not an easy book to read. Many of the best books never are. This is not to say that the authors did not try to make the information accessible. They did, but the topic is very confounding. I recommend this book for anyone sincerely interested in learning accurately about ASL, no matter what their field, but with the warning to give yourself time to assimulate the information, and read the book. I personally would not require reading the book partially for a class, because it is only in starting from the beginning and going to the end that you can view the language as a whole. This is a book that should be used and read over a period of two semesters, with a lot of discussion. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh


Very good book but not for the causul reader!   February 7, 1999
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

One of the few books the discuss the language, the culture, and society of the American Deaf. A real goldmine of treasure will be found in this book. The book is not intended to teach the language (i.e. American Sign Language), but presents how research proves that it is indeed a language in its own right--apart from English. Recomended reading for any serious student of the language.