威廉姆·斯多基和他的手语语言学研究评介

An Introduction and Evaluation of William C.Stokoe and His Linguistics Study of Sign Language

美国手语研究之父、手语语言学研究的奠基人威廉姆.斯多基通过不懈的努力和科学严谨的研究方法使手语得到了世人的尊重和认可。他开创性的研究不仅奠定了美国手语的语言地位,更改变了手语使用者———聋人的社会地位和生存状况,深远地影响了聋人群体的生活和聋人文化的发展。文章介绍了斯多基从英语语言研究转向手语语言学研究的过程和他锲而不舍执着追求真理的学者风范;文章也比较客观地评介了他的手语研究和研究思想,力求给我国对这一研究领域感兴趣的教育专家,特别是语言学家以启示和借鉴,以促进国内的手语语言学研究。

Through his perseverant effort and scientific research, William C. Stokee, the ＂Father of American Sign Language Study＂ and the founder of Sign Language Linguistics, proved scientifically and unequivocally that American Sign Language is a fully developed natural language used by the deaf community. Due to his work, ASL has won recognition and respect from the whole world. Stokoe＇s initiative research work has not only established ASL＇ s linguistic status but also changed its users - the deaf people＇ s-- social position and living situation having a far - reaching impact on the development of the deaf culture. This article introduces firstly how William C. Stokoe converted himself from an English language researcher to an expert who has a focused interest in the study of American Sign Language and how he overcame all the hardships in his pioneering work. It also objectively introduces and evaluates his scientific research in Sign Language Linguistics. The purpose of this article is to provide some valuable message for the educators of special education and especially for those linguists who are interested in sign language study, hoping to contmibute some efforts to facilitate the development of the research in the field of Sign Language Linguistics in China.