Research

SIL sign language linguists work in partnership with members of local Deaf communities in the collection, analysis, and organization of linguistic data, particularly in the area of sociolinguistic assessment. Such data provides Deaf communities with tools for making language development decisions, and advocating for official recognition and use of sign languages in their countries. Sociolinguistic assessment of sign languages is a relatively new field, and SIL continues to refine assessment methodology and tools to fit the sign language context. SIL also provides sign language communities with assistance on submissions for ISO 639-3 codes for their languages. SIL also assists in multicultural research - including Deaf artistic expression.

 

Publications: 

Sign Languages in Ethnologue

SIL’s Electronic Survey Reports 

Participatory Methods in Sociolinguistic Sign Language Survey (thesis)

Sign Language Word List Comparisons (thesis)