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Processing a dynamic visual-spatial language: psycholinguistic studies of American Sign Language
1Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037.
Journal of Psycholinguistic Research
|March 1, 1993
Summary
American Sign Language (ASL), a visual-spatial language, impacts cognitive processing and linguistic structure differently than spoken languages. Early ASL exposure enhances spatial cognition, while late acquisition affects language processing independently of grammatical knowledge.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Cognitive Science
- Neuroscience
Background:
- American Sign Language (ASL) utilizes hands and face, differing from auditory-vocal languages.
- This visual-spatial modality may influence cognitive and linguistic processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the consequences of ASL's visual-spatial modality on language processing, linguistic structure, and spatial cognition.
- To examine the effects of early versus late ASL acquisition on cognitive and linguistic functions.
Main Methods:
- Review of research on ASL processing, linguistic structure, and spatial cognition.
- Studies comparing deaf and hearing ASL signers.
- Investigation into the effects of age of ASL acquisition on language processing.
Main Results:
- ASL modality influences lexical recognition and grammatical referencing.
- Enhanced visual imagery and face discrimination observed in ASL signers.
- Late ASL acquisition shows selective effects on language processing, irrespective of grammar knowledge.
Conclusions:
- Language modality significantly shapes cognitive and linguistic functions.
- Early visual-spatial language experience may enhance specific nonlinguistic spatial skills.
- Age of language acquisition is a critical factor in language processing development.