Faking it or fighting it? Deaf Tutors’ Views on Sign Language Standardisation

Presenter: Hanna Eichmann
Title: Faking it or fighting it? Deaf Tutors’ Views on Sign Language Standardisation
Date: 20th May 2009
Time: 7pm
Venue: Heriot-Watt University, EH14 4AS
BSL/English Interpreter:

All welcome!

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Abstract
Whilst it is undisputed that the Deaf communities in countries such as
Germany and the UK each use a national sign language to communicate it is
by no means clear to what extent these languages are standardised or subject to the same or similar language planning mechanisms as their spoken
counterparts.

In light of the absence of a codified standard variety there have been
repeated calls for the standardisation of sign languages primarily from outside the Deaf community. Moreover, it has been suggested that the development of a standard variety might facilitate the establishment of a linguistic norm which could enable sign language users to gain equal access to education, administration and commerce.

Focusing on Deaf sign language teachers’ construction of the concept of sign language standardisation this presentation explores standardisation as a multi-layered process involving structural linguistic and social dimensions. My research findings suggest that Deaf sign language tutors perceive the concept of sign language standardisation as controversial mainly for two reasons.

On the one hand, a prevalent definition of sign language standardisation as meaning ‘all-the-same’ is in contrast with perspectives held within established variationist approaches to language standardisation. On the other hand, the subject matter is perceived as a challenge to the authenticity of both the language and the community as it is seen to embody hearing people’s hegemony in the political and educational realms.