The language acquisition of the prelingual deaf – An outlook
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21030/anyp.2017.2.1Keywords:
signing community, Hungarian sign language, bimodal bilingualism, sign language acquisition, deaf educationAbstract
Hungarian sign language is the primary language for the majority of the members of the deaf community in Hungary. This, however, is not reflected in the conditions of the early language acquisition of deaf children and of the everyday institutional practice of teaching/education. This study provides an overview of the terminological practice related to the notion of the signing/deaf community and the main characteristics of the community–considering that members of the signing community might be not only deaf but also hearing individuals. As a result of the diversity of this community, the acquisition of sign language as a first or second language is an existing phenomenon. This study, therefore, also discusses the neuro- and sociolinguistic background of bilingualism. Based on the international and the most recent Hungarian results within the framework of the project ‘JelEsély’, this study rethinks deaf education in Hungary.