For ninety per cent of our history, humans have lived as 'hunters and gatherers', and for most of this time as talking individuals. No direct evidence for the origin and evolution of language exists; we do not even know if early humans had language, either spoken or signed. Taking an anthropological perspective, Alan Barnard acknowledges this difficulty and argues that we can nevertheless infer a great deal about our linguistic past from what is around us in the present. Hunter-gatherers still inhabit much of the world, and in sufficient number to enable us to study the ways in which they speak, the many languages they use, and what they use them for. Barnard investigates the lives of hunter-gatherers by understanding them in their own terms, to create a book which will be welcomed by all those interested in the evolution of language.

Product Description: Language development, and the challenges it can present for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, have long been a focus of research, theory, and practice in D/deaf studies and deaf education. Over the past 150 years, but most especially near the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century, advances in the acquisition and development of language competencies and skills have been increasing rapidly...read more

Product Description: Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the most linguistically, culturally, and geographically diverse regions of the world, home to more than 2,000 languages. As in the rest of the world, Deaf people live throughout the widely varying sub-Saharan communities, equally rich in their signed languages...read more

Product Description: How do people use sign languages in different situations around the world? How are sign languages distributed globally? What happens when they come in contact with spoken and written languages? These and other questions are explored in this new introduction to the sociolinguistics of sign languages and deaf communities...read more

Product Description: Inquiry into signed languages has added to what is known about structural variation and language, language learning, and cognitive processing of language. However, comparatively little research has focused on communication disorders in signed language users...read more

Product Description: What’s your baby thinking? You might be surprised. Babies have a lot to say, and they learn signs and gestures long before they are able to articulate themselves through speech. Inside Baby Sign Language discover through signing what your baby wants and needs, and also sign back to have a conversation of sorts, thus engaging in clear communication and establishing trust and understanding...read more

Product Description: Appropriate for adults who are completely new to signing, this authoritative guide on sign language helps them engage with children up to age five, regardless of their hearing ability. Each of the eight chapters contain a variety of activities, such as games, finger plays, songs, and crafts, which help children develop language learning, improve communication and self-expression, and raise their self-esteem...read more

Product Description: From greetings to holidays, there are tons of times in your world where you can sign. What's the sign for happy? Or for cake? Learn helpful words for birthdays, feelings, holidays, and more.

Product Description: From your closet to your refrigerator, take a stroll around your home and learn to sign along the way. What's the sign for pillow? Or for toilet? Learn helpful words for the bathroom, kitchen, yard, and more.

Product Description: From the classroom to the lunchroom, take a trip around your school and learn to sign along the way. What's the sign for backpack? Or for clock? Learn helpful words for the bus stop, library, playground, and more.

Product Description: Communicate with your baby--today!With Essential Baby Sign Language, you can feel closer to your baby than you ever thought possible! Featuring seventy-five of the most important signs babies need every day, this book helps you start signing now, without spending hours learning extensive philosophy and sifting through hundreds of valueless terms...read more

Product Description: Sign language linguists show here that all questions relevant to the linguistic investigation of spoken languages can be asked about sign languages. Conversely, questions that sign language linguists consider - even if spoken language researchers have not asked them yet - should also be asked of spoken languages...read more

Product Description: This set provides everything you need to know about the most popular topics for kids. From surprising a friend with fake vomit to the whole story of the UFO town, Roswell, these books are a must have for any library.

Product Description: The fast and easy way to grasp this evolving and growing language American Sign Language (ASL) is something we've all seen deaf people use in restaurants, hospitals, airports, and at work. The communication is fascinating to watch; to see people sharing ideas by using handshapes and body language is remarkable in a world so defined by sound...read more

Product Description: Story Time with Signs & Rhymes presents playful stories for read-aloud fun! This rhythmic tale invites readers to chant along and learn American Sign Language signs for shapes including circle, square, rhombus, and rectangle. Bring a new, dynamic finger-play experience to your story time! From the PublisherStory Time with Signs & Rhymes offers a variety of rhythmic, playful stories for read-aloud fun...read more