Language and Communication Science


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Welcome to the Sign Language Research Group, the Signed Language and Gesture Lab and the Compass centre for Sign Language assessment, all based at the Dept of Language and Communication Science, City University

Sign Language research group: Staff and Students members

Our research spans several areas of the behavioural sciences including:  Linguistics, Psychology, Neurolinguistics and Language and Cognitive Development.

Prof. Bencie Woll: Linguistics and Neurolinguistics
Frances Elton: Sociolinguistics of Signed Languages
Dr. Gary Morgan, Dr. Rosalind Herman: Signed Language development in children and adults, assessment of signed language in normal and atypical populations
Dr. Jane Marshall, Joanne Atkinson, Martha Tyrone: Deaf stroke and Deaf Parkinsons
Dr. Nicola Grove: Alternative and Augmentative Communication and development
David Canning: Audiology
PhD Projects: Klimis Antzakas: Negation in Greek Signed Language, Maria Koutsoubou: Literacy in Deaf children, Martha Tyrone: Movement disorders and BSL

***A recently completed PhD: Dr. Ros. Herman: The assessment of BSL development***

The Signed Language and Gesture Lab

          

Ros, Bencie and Gary at BUCLD 2003,       Galini, Klimis, Martha & Maria discussing handshape

As a central focus for our research we have a lab where we film and analyse video recordings using software designed to capture the richness of signed languages and the important role of gesture in human communication. 

The lab is open every day for staff and students and is available for hire along with consultation for outside research groups.

For more information contact Gary Morgan at G.Morgan@city.ac.uk  

                                  

Applied research

We also have applied research experience in: Signed Language Interpretation, Signed language learning and teaching and the assessment of atypical uses of Sign Language.

The Compass Centre – Research and intervention in contexts of Sign Language impairments

 

The sign language assessment clinic at City University is a specialist resource dedicated to the assessment of children and adults who use manual signs to communicate, either as their primary language, or to augment speech. The focus of the assessment is on the use of sign, gesture and finger spelling, and the results can be used to: -

  • Determine the level of development in sign language

  • Explore the combination of modalities relevant to particular individuals

  • Profile skills and difficulties within the modality of sign and gesture.

Referral

Referrals may be made through speech therapists, psychologists, health or education services, which will be invoiced for the assessment.  One of the team will take the lead in the assessment, and will have preliminary discussions with the referring authority.  Clients will then be invited to the centre for assessment.

What happens in the assessment?

The assessment will normally take 1-2 half days, and will usually involve discussions with the family, and observation and interview with the child. Please bring with you anything that your child would particularly like to talk about – examples of schoolwork, photographs, favourite toys and picture books.  This will help us to make the assessment relevant and fun.   As this is a university facility we would like to be able to use materials for teaching and research purposes, if you are agreeable.  This will be discussed before and after the assessment.

Please contact Ros Herman for more information at R.C.Herman@city.ac.uk

 

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