How to crip your sign language linguistic theory

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Critical Disability Studies
• Raciolinguistics

Background:

• Signed language linguistics has historically marginalized the language practices of racially and ethnically minoritized users.
• Existing frameworks often perpetuate White colonial logics, such as essentialized competence and homogeneity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To interrogate the foundational assumptions of signed language linguistics using a critical disability raciolinguistic perspective.
• To explore the necessary shifts in assumptions for developing a crip linguistic theory.

Main Methods:

• Application of a critical disability raciolinguistic lens to crip linguistics.
• Analysis of underlying White colonial logics within signed language linguistics.

Main Results:

• Identified White colonial logics (essentialized competence, boundedness, homogeneity) that marginalize minoritized signed language users.
• Outlined assumptions to be rejected and embraced for a crip linguistic theory.

Conclusions:

• A coalitional linguistic theory compatible with critical disability raciolinguistics and enacting a crip ethos is necessary.
• This inclusive linguistic theory must be actively developed and implemented.