Part of
Italian Sign Language from a Cognitive and Socio-semiotic Perspective: Implications for a general language theoryVirginia Volterra, Maria Roccaforte, Alessio Di Renzo and Sabina Fontana
[Gesture Studies 9] 2022
► pp. 7–34
In this chapter the factors that, in the past, gave rise to the first linguistic description of Italian Sign Language are examined along with the historical and social reasons behind these factors. The theoretical perspective underlying the description presented in this book is examined with a particular focus on the action-gesture-language continuity, which has been found in the acquisition of all spoken and signed languages. Four representational strategies that underlie the production of gestures in children and adults are shown to be also fundamental in the creation of signs. New theoretical assumptions that provide a better basis for descriptions of sign languages are presented and explained.