The paper reviews theories of Lev Vygotsky, founder of the Soviet school of cognitive developmental psychology and an architect of Soviet defectology, the discipline concerned with physically and mentally handicapped children. Three of his basic concepts are explained: (1) "cultural" versus "natural" mental functions; (2)…

The report discusses 12 research projects on hearing impairment undertaken at the Gallaudet Research Institute. The institute focuses on three major categories of research areas: accommodation to hearing loss, prevention of hearing loss, and restoration of hearing. Following a brief description of the functions of the Office of the Vice President…

This manual defines basic computer terminology and presents sign language gestures for the terms. The manual uses the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf's Manually Coded English Sign Language System, a compilation of signs derived from Signing Exact English and American Sign Language; it also indicates those instances where fingerspelling is…

The intensive four-week seminar described in this report was designed for sign language interpreters currently employed or desiring employment in public post-secondary technical and vocational education. After explaining the objectives of the seminar, its targeted participants, and the training structure, the report presents an outline of the…

The acquisition of several word formation devices in American Sign Language (ASL) by deaf children learning ASL as a native language focused on some devices analogous to word formation devices in spoken languages (compounding, affixation, and derivation) and some in ASL that may not have counterparts in spoken languages. They were examined using…

In examining the issue of why children do so well at language learning despite limited skill and experience, two possible explanations are addressed: one suggests that children learn language well exactly because they are limited, and the other proposes that children are extremely adept at language learning, perhaps more so than adults. Research…

Described are the background and results of use of a total communication approach (combining speech, speechreading, gestures, formal sign language, fingerspelling, printed word, cursive writing, and reading) with a non-deaf, mentally retarded boy (15-years-old) lacking communication skills. (LS)

Twelve educable and three trainable mentally retarded fifth and sixth grade students were trained in techniques to allow them to tutor nonhandicapped students in sign language. Observers noted free play interaction between handicapped and nonhandicapped children at lunch hours. Results indicated that the mean percentage of interaction between…

The booklet describes research on deafness undertaken at Gallaudet College. The work of the following departments are briefly summarized: the Division of Research and the Gallaudet Research Institute, the Kendall Elementary School/Model Secondary School for the Deaf, Educational Research Laboratory, the Office of Cued Speech Programs, the Mental…

The effectiveness of sign language was compared with verbal language instruction with 12 nonverbal severely retarded students (4 to 9 years old). Ss received either speech training, sign language training, or instruction in an area other than communication. During the second year, 10 Ss received training from their parents. Results indicated no…

This manual presents production guidelines and suggestions for use by commercial, public, and educational broadcast facilities that seek to provide television interpreting for the hearing impaired. Topics covered include a brief overview of the need for television services for this audience and the use of closed captioning and sign language to…

"Verbal" and "nonverbal" are confused and confusing terms. Gestural phenomena in semiotic use--gSigns--are called nonverbal but work in three major ways, only the first of which is unrelated to the highly encoded (verbal) activity called language. A gSign may: (1) have a general meaning: "yes,""no,""who…