Introducing Sign Language Literature

Introducing Sign Language Literature: Folklore and Creativity is the first textbook dedicated to analyzing and appreciating sign language storytelling, poetry and humour. The authors assume no prior knowledge of sign language or literary studies, introducing readers to a world of visual language creativity in deaf communities. Introducing Sign Language Literature: Folklore and Creativity- Explains in straightforward terms the unique features of this embodied language art form- Draws on an online anthology of over 150 sign language stories, poems and jokes- Suggests ways of analysing and appreciating the rich artistic heritage of deaf communitiesWatch a short video about the book.

'This book is very interesting and engaging, and opens doors to previously unexplored avenues in Deaf culture. It will allow students and those with an interest to develop a knowledge of Deaf culture that is largely unseen by those outside the 'Deaf world', and the beauty of stories and lore told/shown in Sign Language.' - Amanda Smith, BSL Senior Lecturer, York St. John University 'Rich in a broad range of information with reference to Storytelling and Poetry in Sign Language for those who wish to study and enhance their knowledge of the art of Creative Signing and more effective use of Visual Space. Much of the information in the book is relevant to contemporary issues such as the Visual Vernacular and Cinematic Features. An extremely valuable resource.' - Dr Luigi Lerose, BSL and Deaf Studies Lecturer, University of Central Lancashire 'This study offers a comprehensive introduction to 'sign language literatures', and will be of interest not only to students of sign language but also to anyone wishing to gain an understanding of how language works across modalities. It shows how language use within the deaf community has been shaped by folklore, storytelling and deaf humour, illustrating how such language use continues to influence the very nature of the deaf community.' - Dr Martin Atherton, Course Leader for British Sign Language and Deaf Studies, University of Central Lancashire 'This beautifully crafted and highly accessible volume introduces, situates, and presents guidance for interpreting the canon of sign language literature. The authors enrich our appreciation of the creative craftsmanship of deaf poets from around the world, bringing us on a magical journey which unpacks the complexity of sign language storytelling, folklore, signlore, poetry and prose.' - Professor Lorraine Leeson, Director, Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College Dublin

Rachel Sutton-Spence is a lecturer in Sign Language Studies at the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Brazil. She has long been fascinated by sign language poetry and folklore, and has published extensively on linguistic and educational aspects of sign language creativity, humour and metaphor. She is co-author, with Bencie Woll, of The Linguistics of British Sign Language: An Introduction (1999). She taught sign language linguistics and literature at the University of Bristol and to professionals working with sign language within the British Deaf community for many years. Michiko Kaneko is a Lecturer and Head of the Department of South African Sign Language in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. She obtained her PhD in Deaf Studies in the University of Bristol, where she also completed a three-year postdoctoral project titled "Metaphor in Creative Sign Language". Her research interests include sign language linguistics, sign language literature (poetry and stories expressed visually, spatially and manually) and metaphor studies.