Sign Language Linguistics: Exploring BSL and ASL (Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics) - Hardcover

Adam Schembri , Jordan Fenlon , Kearsy Cormier , Trevor Johnston

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1107077141 ISBN 13: 9781107077140

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2026

Synopsis

The first textbook to bring together the linguistics of both BSL and ASL, this accessible book provides a uniquely international and comparative introduction to the structure and use of signed languages. Presupposing no prior knowledge, it covers all levels of linguistic structure: phonetics/phonology, morphology, the lexicon, syntax, semantics and discourse. Photographic illustrations of BSL and ASL signs feature throughout every chapter, and are linked to over 500 online videos, making this a clear and immersive resource for anyone interested in sign language linguistics. End of chapter exercises, questions for discussion and annotated further reading suggestions allow students to fully engage with the material they have read, and to extend their learning independently.

About this title

About the Authors

Adam Schembri is a hearing signer and Professor of Linguistics at the University of Birmingham, UK. He has published over fifty journal articles and book chapters, co-authored two books, is a fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, and is currently the director of the European Research Council SignMorph project.

Jordan Fenlon is a deaf native signer and linguist who completed his Ph.D. at University College London in 2010. He has taught linguistics at University College London, Gallaudet University, University of Chicago, and Heriot-Watt University, and his research focused on the sociolinguistics of signed languages.

Kearsy Cormier is a hearing signer and Professor of Sign Linguistics and Director of the Deafness Cognition and Language (DCAL) Research Centre within the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at University College London. She has an international reputation for her research on British and American Sign Languages and has over 25 years' experience teaching sign language linguistics.

Trevor Johnston is a hearing native signer and was a Professor of Linguistics at Macquarie University (Sydney) before retiring in 2015. He has published several dictionaries of Auslan, journal articles and book chapters on Auslan grammar and corpus linguistics and co-authored a book on sign language linguistics. He is a fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1107077141
• ISBN 13: 9781107077140
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 438