Studying Sign Language Acquisition

Abstract

The study of sign language acquisition has revealed important insights regarding the acquisition of language in the visual modality, the impact of delayed first-language exposure on language ability, and the relationship between language and cognitive processes. Unique challenges arise in studying sign language acquisition due to the low incidence and heterogeneity of the population and the need for inclusion in all aspects of the research of highly skilled native and near-native language users who are deaf. Despite these challenges, a range of methodological approaches have been applied to sign language acquisition, including longitudinal and cross-sectional sampling of the population, case studies, adaptation of assessment instruments, standardized measures, analyses of naturalistic language, and elicited language samples. Through these methods, researchers are able to conduct rigorous studies whose findings have made invaluable contributions to theories of language acquisition and development in a number of sign languages and populations.

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