ABSTRACT
The chapters in this volume arose from the Fourth International Conference on Theoretical Issues in Sign Language Research, held in 1992 in San Diego. Together, the chapters address a range of related issues regarding the nature and structure of sign language, gesture, and gesture systems. In this overview, we present a brief summary of each chapter, highlighting the questions addressed by the chapter and noting issues that permeate the volume. The volume is divided into five sections reflecting different, but related areas of research: Space in Language and Gesture, Point of View and Referential Shift, Morphosyntax of Verbs in ASL, Gestural Systems and Sign Language, and Language Acquisition and Gesture. Many ideas thread their way throughout these sections. Several chapters discuss similarities and differences between types of visual-gestural systems: established sign languages, pidgin sign language (“International Sign,” Supalla & Webb), “homesign” systems developed by deaf children with no sign input (Morford, Singleton, & Goldin-Meadow), novel gesture systems invented by hearing nonsigners (Singleton, Goldin-Meadow, & McNeill), and the gesture that accompanies speech (McNeill & Pedelty). The role and function of space in gesture and sign language are recurrent themes, investigated by several researchers along various dimensions. Within sign languages, space is analyzed at the discourse level (Winston), at a semantic/referential level (Emmorey, Corina, & Bellugi), at the morpho-syntactic level for verbs (Janis), and for referential shift (Engberg-Pedersen). In contrast, Liddell argues against a morphological or syntactic function of space.
