Sign Language: Phonology

Abstract

Key questions confronted by the study of a phonology in different language modalities are described. The phonology of sign language is described in terms of those aspects of signs that are similar to those of spoken languages and those aspects that are different from spoken languages. One possible explanation for some of the differences is discussed in terms of the signal processing and peripheral systems that underlie these two different types of languages – the auditory system in spoken languages vs. the visual system in signed languages.