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Department of Linguistics
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Search Linguistics
LING 972: LANGUAGE AND GESTURE
Availability : |
Not offered in 2008, X2 in 2009 |
Credit Points |
4 |
Convenor(s) |
A/Prof Trevor Johnston |
Unit Web Site |
TBA |
Description
The purpose of the subject is to introduce the student to the study of gestural communication, and its relationship to spoken and signed languages. This unit introduces the student to the study of gesture, focusing on its use in interaction, drawing mainly on the analysis of spoken language discourse (especially everyday conversations and narratives) to demonstrate gesture’s varied role in the construction of utterances. The course will begin with a discussion of the history of the study of gesture, as well as exploring the relationship between gesture and signed languages, and how the use of gesture varies according to cultural and language differences. The emphasis in this subject will be on the semiotic, linguistic and cultural aspects of gestural communication, but the unit will also touch on the neurological foundations of gesture, its developmental course in infants and children, and its possible role in the evolution of language.
Offered externally (online – no on-campus attendance)