Debra Aarons

Home: 7c Albion Court Albion Road Rondebosch 7700 Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA 27-21-689-2259	Work: Department of General Linguistics University of Stellenbosch Matieland 7602 SOUTH AFRICA 27-21-808-2006
daarons@iafrica.com DA@maties.sun.ac.za dlaarons@hotmail.com Publications Funding Presentations Professional Experience Other Professional Activities Education

Publications

Aarons, D., B. Bahan, J. Kegl and C. Neidle. 1992. Clausal Structure and a Tier for Grammatical Marking in American Sign Language. Nordic Journal of Linguistics, vol. 15, number 1. Aarons, D., B. Bahan, J. Kegl and C. Neidle. (1994). Subjects and Agreement in American Sign Language. In Ahlgren, I., Bergman, B., and Brennan, M. (eds.), Perspectives on Sign Language Structure. Durham: International Sign Language Association. Aarons, D., B. Bahan, J. Kegl and C. Neidle. (1995). Lexical Tense Markers in American Sign Language. In Emmorey, K. and Reilly, J. (eds.), Sign, Gesture and Space. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Aarons, D. (1995) Hands Full of Meaning. In BUA! Volume 10, No. 1. Salt River, Cape Town: National Language Project. Aarons, D. (1996) Signed Languages and Professional Responsibility. In SPIL PLUS 29, Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics, Number 29, University of Stellenbosch: South Africa. Aarons, D. (1996). Topics and Topicalization in American Sign Language. In SPIL 26, Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics 26, 65-106. University of Stellenbosch: South Africa. Aarons, D., and P. Akach. (1998) South African Sign Language--a sociolinguistic question. In SPIL 31 Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics 31, 1-28. Aarons, D., R. Morgan and P. Akach. (1998) Sign Language Interpreting--Linguistic Issues. In Kruger, A. (ed.) Proceedings of the Forum for Language Workers. South African Translators' Institute and Federation Internationale des Traducteurs. Aarons, D., and P. Akach. (1998) The Situation of the Deaf in Tertiary Education in South Africa. Report to the Pan South African Language Board. DEAFSA, Johannesburg. Aarons, D., and P. Akach. (1999) Inclusion and the Deaf Child in South African Education. UNESCO Consultation. Pretoria: UNESCO. Aarons, D. (1999). South African Sign Language: Changing Policies and Practice. In SPIL PLUS 30, Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics 30, 111-144. Aarons, D., and P. Akach. (in press). South African Sign Language--one language or many? In Mesthrie, R. (ed.), Language and Social History. Second edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Aarons, D and R. Morgan. (in press). How many South African Sign Languages are there? In Proceedings of the 13th World Congress of the World federation of the Deaf. Aarons, D, and L. Reynolds. (in press). South African Sign Language: Changing Policies and Practices. In Monaghan, L. (ed.), Many ways to be Deaf. Washington DC and Hamburg: Gallaudet University Press and Signum Press. Aarons, D. and R. Morgan (to appear). "Polymorphemic Classifier Constructions and their effect on Sign Language syntax". In Emmorey K., Classifiers in Sign Languages, to be published by Lawrence Erlbaum, New Jersey. Lawrence, P., and D. Aarons. (1997). Undefended Accused and the Language of the Magistrates' Court. University of Cape Town, Law, Race and Gender Unit. Volume 4. Cape Town: UCT. Neidle, C, Kegl J., Bahan, B, Aarons, D. and MacLaughlin, D. (1997). Rightward wh-movement in American Sign Language. In Van Riemsdijk, H., D. Le Blanc, and D.Beerman (eds.), Rightward Movement. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

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Funding

Research Grant Number 15/1/3/16/0125 from the Centre for Science Development of the Human Sciences Research Council, South Africa. An Investigation into the Linguistic Structure of the Signed Language/s used by the Deaf Communities in the Western Cape Province and Gauteng, July 1997--June 1999. Promising Young Researcher Award from the University of Stellenbosch, July 1999. Research Grant from the National Research Foundation 15/1/3/16/0269, The acquisition of written English as a second language by Deaf adults who use South African Sign Language as a first language, March 2000. Research grant from SANPAD, Is there a Deaf culture in South Africa? An anthropological linguistic investigation into the construction of identity among Deaf South Africans, March 2000. Research grant from the University of Stellenbosch, A crosslinguistic comparison of South African Sign Language, American Sign Language and Australian Sign Language, March 2000--2001. Travel grants • from the Centre for Science Development of the Human Sciences Research Council to present a paper at the Fifth International Conference on Sign Language Linguistics. Montreal, Canada, September 1996. • from the Centre for Science Development of the Human Sciences Research Council to present a paper at the Sixth International Pragmatics Association Conference, Reims, France, July 1998. • from the University of Stellenbosch to present a paper at the Sixth International Conference on Theoretical Issues in Sign Language Research, Washington, DC, July 1998. • from the University of Stellenbosch to present a paper at the 13th World Federation of the Deaf Congress in Brisbane, Australia, July 1999.

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Presentations

"Prejudice and Pride: A Comparative Study of American Deaf and South African Black Education," Deaf Way Conference, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC (with Ben Bahan), July, 1989. "Subjects and Agreement in American Sign Language," Fifth International Symposium on Sign Language Research, Salamanca, Spain (with Judy Kegl and Carol Neidle), May, 1992. "Tense and Agreement in American Sign Language," Fourth International Conference on Theoretical Issues in Sign Language Research, San Diego, CA (poster presentation, with Benjamin Bahan, Judy Kegl and Carol Neidle), August, 1992. "Wh-movement in American Sign Language," Washington Area Generative Syntax Colloquium, Georgetown University, January 1994. "American Sign Language Syntax," Boston University Deaf Education and Deaf Studies Program, March 1994. "Some Issues in American Sign Language Syntax," Linguistics Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, June 1994. "The Linguistic Structure of American Sign Language," Linguistics Department, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, August 1994. "Rightward wh-movement in American Sign Language," Tilburg Conference on Rightward Movement, October 6-8, Tilburg, The Netherlands (with Carol Neidle, Judy Kegl and Benjamin Bahan), October, 1994. "The Only Thing Deaf People Can't Do Is Hear," Western Cape Symposium on the Education of the Deaf, Worcester, South Africa, May 1995. "The Structure of Signed Languages," SAALA Conference, University of Stellenbosch, July, 1995 "Signed Languages and the Acquisition of Literacy in Deaf Children," Wittebome Dominican Grimley School for the Deaf, Cape Town, February 1996. "The Linguistics of Signing," Perspectives on Deafness, University of Cape Town Medical School, ENT Department, March, 1996. "Signed languages and Professional Responsibility," 3rd Stellenbosch Conference in Linguistics, University of Stellenbosch, April, 1996. "South African Sign Language: Changing Policies and Practice," Sociolinguistics Symposium 11, Cardiff, Wales (with Louise Reynolds), September 1996. "Topics and Topicalization in American Sign Language," Fifth International Conference on Sign Language Research, Montreal, Canada. September 1996. "Magistrates' Explanations and the Undefended Accused," Symposium on Language and the Law, Vista University, Port Elizabeth. October 1996 (with Paul Lawrence). Workshop on Sign Language Structure, arranged by the Deaf Community of Cape Town, The Bastion, Cape Town (with P. Akach), October 1996. "The Use of Signed Language in the Classroom," Nuwe Hoop School for the Deaf, Worcester, South Africa, October 1996. Workshop Co-ordinator, Symposium on the Use of Sign Language as a Medium of Instruction in Schools for the Deaf. Institute for the Deaf, Worcester, South Africa, December 1996. "What Speech Therapists and Audiologists Need to Know about Sign Language". Tygerberg Hospital, Department of Speech Therapy and Audiology, April 1997. "Language Issues in the Education of Deaf Children," Seminar. Project for Research into Alternative Education in South Africa (PRAESA), University of Cape Town, June 1997. "Sign Language Interpreting--Linguistic Issues," Language Facilitation and Development in Southern Africa--Forum for Language Workers. South African Translators' Institute and Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs, Pretoria.(with Philemon Akach and Ruth Morgan), June 1997. "Signed Language--A natural bridge," Building Bridges Conference, Johannesburg. (with Ruth Morgan and Philemon Akach), March 1998. "The implications of sign language for speech therapists and audiologists". Tygerberg Hospital, Department of Speech Therapy and Audiology, May 1998. "The acquisition of literacy in Deaf signing children," Tenth World Conference of Comparative Education Societies. Cape Town, South Africa (with P. Akach), June 1998. "Topics and Topicalization in American Sign Language: The syntax/discourse interface," Sixth International Pragmatics Conference, Reims, France, July 1998. "South African Sign Language after Apartheid," Sixth International Conference on Theoretical Issues in Sign Language Research, Washington, DC (with Ruth Morgan and Helen Morgans), November 1998. "The South African Sign Language Curriculum for Schools," Principals and teachers of the Deaf in the Western Cape, University of Stellenbosch, Department of Education, November 1998. "A linguistic analysis of signed languages," Georgetown University, Department of Linguistics, Washington, DC, November 1998. UNESCO Consultation on inclusion and the Deaf child in South African education (with Philemon Akach), Gauteng, South Africa, February 1999. "The structure and functions of South African Sign Language," Linguistics Society of South Africa, Pretoria (with Philemon Akach), July 1999. "How many South African Sign Languages are there?" Thirteenth World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf, Brisbane, Australia (with Ruth Morgan), July 1999. "Using Sign Language as a Medium of Instruction in the Classroom," Noluthando School for the Deaf, Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, September 1999. "Non-manual marking in South African Sign Language--evidence for a uniform syntactic analysis," First International Linguistics Society of South Africa Conference. Cape Town, January 2000. "Polymorphemic Classifier Constructions and their effect on Sign Language syntax," International Classifiers Workshop, The Salk Institute, San Diego, California, (with Ruth Morgan), April 2000. "The syntax of signed languages," California State University at Northridge, Department of Linguistics. CSUN, Los Angeles, April 2000. "Deaf adults who want to read and write," Presented at ICED2000, Sydney, Australia (with Meryl Glaser), July 2000. "Non-manual marking in South African Sign Language," Presented at the Seventh International Conference on Theoretical Issues in Sign Language Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (with Ruth Morgan and Helen Morgans), July 2000.

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Professional Experience

University of Stellenbosch, Department of General Linguistics: Associate Professor, October 1998--present; Senior Lecturer, January 1995--September 1998. Morphology, Pragmatics, Syntax, Second Language Acquisition, Cross-cultural Pragmatics, Sign Language Linguistics Northeastern University, College of Liberal Arts, Boston, MA: Instructor, Spring 1993-Spring 1994. Introduction to Language and Linguistics; Syntax II; Language and Culture; Graduate Seminar in Language and Culture, American Sign Language Linguistics Boston University, Boston, MA Program in Applied Linguistics: Program Assistant, 1989-1993. University of Stellenbosch, School of Education: Instructor, 1992. SED DE 576, Advanced Language Instruction (for M.Ed. Students in Deaf Education) Cape Verde Community House, Roxbury, MA: Literacy Teacher, 1988. Soweto English Language Project, Centre for Continuing Adult Education, University of Witwatersrand: Materials Developer and Editor, 1985-87. Anglo-American Adult Literacy Education Program, Johannesburg, English Teacher, 1984. Soweto English Language Project, University of Witwatersrand, Centre for Continuing Adult Education, Teacher Trainer, 1982-1985. Melton Publications, Johannesburg: Editor, Trade and Technical Journals, 1981. University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg: Assistant Schools Liaison Officer, 1981. Schmerenbeck Institute, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg: Teacher of gifted children, 1980. King David High School, Johannesburg, South Africa: English Teacher, 1979-80.

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Other Professional Activities

Editorial Boards 1999 Member of the Editorial Board of Lingua, Elsevier Science Press, Holland. Radio 1999-2000 Regular panellist on Word of Mouth, SAFM Language Programme. Consultancies and Reviewing Cambridge University Press, Manuscript Reviewer Centre for Science Development, Human Sciences Research Council, Reviewer Deaf Community of Cape Town, Consultant on Literacy in the Deaf Community DEAFSA, Consultant on Sign Language Training Development Programmes DEAFSA, Member of Western Cape Committee on Sign Language DEAFSA, Member of the RDP committee for the Western Cape DEAFSA, Consultant on Curriculum Development UNESCO, Consultant on inclusion of the Deaf in the new education dispensation University of Cape Town, Law Race and Gender Project, Consultant on Language in The Courtroom Fulbright Commission, Member of Western Cape Selection Panel External Examiner University of Witwatersrand, Department of Applied English Language Studies University of Witwatersrand, Department of Speech Therapy and Audiology

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Education

Ph.D., 1987, Boston University. Dissertation: Aspects of the Syntax of American Sign Language Major Advisor: Professor Carol Neidle B.A., 1987, Honours in Applied Linguistics, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (January 1985 - December 1986). Higher Diploma in Education (Postgraduate), 1979, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (January - December, 1978). B.A., 1978, Honours in English Language and Literature, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (January - December, 1977). B.A., 1977, in Philosophy and English, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (January 1974 - December 1976). Matriculation King David High School, Linksfield, Johannesburg, 1973. Scholarships Linguistic Society of America Fellowship to attend LSA Summer Institute, 1991. Fulbright Scholarship to Boston University, 1987 to 1990 British Council Scholarship to English Language Institute, Lancaster University, U.K., 1986. MacPhail Scholarship, University of Witwatersrand, 1977. Graduate Student Activities Student Coordinator, Applied Linguistics Colloquium Series, 1990-92. Consultant to the Organizing Committee of the 16th Annual Boston University Conference on Language Development, October, 1991. Co-organizer of the 15th Annual Boston University Conference on Language Development, October, 1990. Conference Committee Member, 14th Annual Boston University Conference on Language Development, 1989.

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Last modified, August 14, 2000.