Raises the issue of the integrity of "voice" while discussing deaf culture and language. Focuses on deaf users of American Sign language and encourages examining whether an imperialistic attitude underlies society's expecting the deaf to learn a spoken language, such as English, even if the teaching is critical in orientation. (41 references)…

A study examined the basis of "theory of mind" (ToM) reasoning in 20 native signers (ages 4-8) of British Sign Language. Children and their siblings were given a measure of the quality of sibling relations. Sibling quality as perceived by siblings predicted children's ToM score over age and referential communication. (Contains…

A teacher at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (District of Columbia) discusses the process of creating, rehearsing, and producing a play using sign language as an expressive and artistic tool. The importance of performing often enough to achieve the euphoria of mastery is stressed. (DB)

A review of deaf education in sub-Saharan Africa notes the role of missionaries, especially Andrew Foster who established 31 schools and introduced total communication; deaf education in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa; the growing acceptance of sign language; and the role of international disability organizations, especially the World…

Aerial spelling is the term given for the way many people with deafness in New Zealand (NZ) manually represent letters of the alphabet. This article examines the nature and role of aerial spelling in New Zealand Sign Language, particularly that form used by older members of the NZ deaf community. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

The adoptive mother of a hearing-impaired preschool girl describes ways the family has integrated language practice into every facet of the child's life. The paper focuses on practicing speech, learning language, getting ready for reading, using computers, family involvement in signing, socialization and independence, child care, preschool team…

Replication of a study that showed that deaf 15- to 18-year- olds could accurately identify a significant number of isolated signs presented well out in peripheral vision found that 8- to 12-year-olds could also identify such signs, although results showed a significant effect of age on performance. (Author/CB)

The article considers whether young deaf children of hearing parents should learn American Sign Language (ASL) as their first language and whether teachers in day high school programs should use manual communication. It concludes that, because ASL is the key to deaf culture, it should be used by parents and teachers. (DB)

Examination and comparison of the changes in movement trajectories of two initially naive American Sign Language (ASL) students during an introductory ASL course found that their movement pattern increased in speed, symmetry, and replicability and grew more constrained in amplitude as the semester progressed. (Author/CB)

This study examined empirically the functionality of sign language and iconic communication book symbols in community settings. Subjects were two adolescent students with autism. Results demonstrated successful communication by the students with communication books but not with signs. (Author/JDD)

Explores the use of American Sign Language (ASL) in the bilingual instruction of English as a Second Language for deaf students. Issues addressed include dominant languages, language minorities, legislative and cultural recognition of ASL as an official language, and limited English proficiency. (CB) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy…

Examines American Sign Language (ASL) in the context of the orality/literacy debate and issues of language and cognition. Posits that ASL is a natural language independent of English, and asserts that examining other modes of language use can illuminate the nature of discourse in both oral and written forms. (MM)

Through individual interviews and focus groups, teachers, support staff, parents, deaf students and administrators participated in a training needs assessment (TNA). The focus was on actual teacher signing skills, the optimal performance desired, and possible solutions. TNA proved to be an effective staff development planning tool. (Author/DB)

A survey instrument for determining the competence that educational interpreters are perceived to need in 3 areas (skill, knowledge, attitude) was administered to 71 participants from the Alabama Registry of Interpreters for the deaf, students completing a training program, and classroom teachers who use interpreters. Differences among the groups…

This observational study examined the development and use of communication in a pair of deaf and hearing monozygotic twins from 13 to 36 months of age. Both children were enrolled in a total communication preschool program. In contrast to the hearing twin, the deaf twin used imitative (rather than responsive) signs and gestures. (Author/DB)