FY 2008 Annual Report of Achievements - Gallaudet University

Lastly, one subject asserted that he never used Contact Sign for any reason. However, upon
further analysis it was discovered that he used Contact Sign at several points during the interview.
Funding source: GRI Small Grant
FY 2007-2008 product(s):
Brooks, E. (2007). Deaf user perspective on the use of American Sign Language or contact sign when using video relay services. Final
project, Department of Interpretation, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC.
Brooks, E. (2007, December). Deaf user perspective on the use of American Sign Language or contact sign when using video relay
services. Presentation to the Department of Interpretation, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC.
Discourse Analysis (Focus on Nonmanual Signals in ASL)
Status: Ongoing Begin date: 1996 End date: No set date
Principal Investigator(s):
Metzger, Melanie – Interpretation
Bridges, Byron – Lamar University, Deaf Studies and Deaf Education Department
Andrews, Jean – Lamar University, Deaf Studies and Deaf Education Department
Description:
This project is designed to investigate signed discourse with an emphasis on nonmanual signals.
Explorations of Sounds: Language Contact and Lexical Borrowing of
Onomatopoeias in ASL
Status: Completed Begin date: October 1, 2007 End date: December 2007
Principal Investigator(s):
Dyke, Davis (student) – Interpretation
Jones, Emily (student) – Interpretation
Description:
The purpose of this research was to explore the significance of onomatopoetic sounds in
ASL in regards to the borrowing of their English counterparts. This is significant to research
because there is minimal research in this field of context in ASL, although these sounds can be
observed naturally. Examples of these sounds include: hehe, muah, pow, and pfft. It is important to
understand these language features in ASL because of the close connection between English and
ASL. This research will delve into exploratory findings of the use of a preselected list of naturally
observed sounds. Whether on a technical device, such as a pager, or the computer, these sounds are
grossly ingrained in the cultural use of the language and dividing genders.
Funding source: GRI Small Grant
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