Auslan Liguistics (Paperback)

$81.75

This is first comprehensive introduction to the linguistics of Auslan, the sign language of Australia.

Assuming no prior background in language study, it explores each key aspect of the structure of Auslan, providing an accessible overview of its grammar (how sentences are structured), phonology (the building blocks of signs), morphology (the structure of signs), lexicon (vocabulary), semantics (how meaning is created), and discourse (how Auslan is used in context).

The authors also discuss a range of myths and misunderstandings about sign languages, provide an insight into the history and development of Auslan, and show how Auslan is related to other sign languages, such as those used in Britain, the USA and New Zealand. Complete with clear illustrations of the signs in use and useful further reading lists, this is an ideal resource for anyone interested in Auslan, as well as those seeking a clear, general introduction to sign language linguistics.

About the Author

Trevor Johnston is Associate Professor in the Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University. Adam Schembri is Senior Research Fellow at the Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre at University College London.

Description

This is first comprehensive introduction to the linguistics of Auslan, the sign language of Australia.

Assuming no prior background in language study, it explores each key aspect of the structure of Auslan, providing an accessible overview of its grammar (how sentences are structured), phonology (the building blocks of signs), morphology (the structure of signs), lexicon (vocabulary), semantics (how meaning is created), and discourse (how Auslan is used in context).

The authors also discuss a range of myths and misunderstandings about sign languages, provide an insight into the history and development of Auslan, and show how Auslan is related to other sign languages, such as those used in Britain, the USA and New Zealand. Complete with clear illustrations of the signs in use and useful further reading lists, this is an ideal resource for anyone interested in Auslan, as well as those seeking a clear, general introduction to sign language linguistics.

About the Author

Trevor Johnston is Associate Professor in the Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University. Adam Schembri is Senior Research Fellow at the Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre at University College London.

Table of contents

Signed languages and linguistics
Auslan in social context
Auslan and other signed languages
Phonetics and phonology: the building blocks of signs
Morphology: sign formation and modification
Lexicon: the structure of Auslan vocabulary
Syntax: the structure of sentences in Auslan
Semantics and pragmatics: sign meaning and sentence meaning
Discourse: structure and use above the sentence
Issues in the study of signed languages
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Specifications

ISBN: 9780521540568
ISBN-10: 0521540569
Audience: Professional
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number Of Pages: 332
Published: 18th January 2007
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: GB
Dimensions (cm): 22.8 x 15.2 x 2.0
Weight (kg): 0.52

Additional information

Auslan Textbook

Auslan Textbook