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Silence and Sign Language in Medieval Monasticism explores the rationales for religious silence in early medieval abbeys and the use of nonverbal forms of communication among monks when rules of silence forbade them from speaking. After examining the spiritual benefits of personal silence as a form of protection against the perils of sinful discourse in early monastic thought, this work shows how the monks of the Abbey of Cluny (founded in 910 in Burgundy) were the first to employ a silent language of meaning-specific hand signs that allowed them to convey precise information without recourse to spoken words. Scott Bruce discusses the linguistic character of the Cluniac sign language, its central role in the training of novices, the precautions taken to prevent its abuse, and the widespread adoption of this custom in other abbeys throughout Europe, which resulted in the creation of regionally-specific idioms of this silent language.

Albert Clayton Gaulden, founder and director of the Sedona Intensive, believes that the new language is God’s mother tongue, the language in which His messages and guidance are expressed. Experiential and laden with messages, the new language isn’t spoken chiefly in words (though sometimes it comes to us that way); it is rich in signs, symbols, wonders, and coincidences. When we open ourselves up to the new language, we can open ourselves to a larger and better life. When we learn to be receptive to the new language, we can begin to understand its unique grammar and rules, and to benefit from its grace.

This new study is a major contribution to sign language study and to literature generally, looking at the complex grammatical, phonological and morphological systems of sign language linguistic structure and their role in sign language poetry and performance. Chapters deal with repetition and rhyme, symmetry and balance, neologisms, ambiguity, themes, metaphor and allusion, poem and performance, and blending English and sign language poetry, Major poetic performances in both BSL and ASL – with emphasis on the work of the deaf poet Dorothy Miles – are analysed using the tools provided in the book.

This is an accessible introduction to the major areas of sociolinguistics as they relate to sign languages and deaf communities. It brings together a team of leading experts in sign linguistics and covers a wide range of topics including variation, multilingualism, bilingualism, language attitudes and discourse analysis.

In sign languages of the deaf, now recognized as fully legitimate human languages, some signs can meaningfully point toward things or can be meaningfully placed in the space ahead of the signer. This book focuses on American Sign Language to examine the grammatical and conceptual purposes served by these signs.