Signing in a "deaf family" - documentation of Mardin Sign Language, Turkey
The Endangered Language Documentation Programme (ELDP) provides grants worldwide for the documentation of endangered languages and knowledge. Grantees create audiovisual collections with transcription and translations of endangered languages and practices. These collections are preserved and made freely available through the Endangered Languages Archive (ELAR).
Mardin Sign Language exists in a unique setting, a group of ca.40 members of an extended family with a high incidence of hereditary deafness over five generations. "Dilsiz" is the Turkish word for "deaf", and the sign language is used by both deaf and hearing family members. The language originated in the town of Mardin in south-eastern Turkey, but users of the language now live in Istanbul and Izmir. Mardin Sign Language is undocumented and on the brink of extinction under the influence of Turkish Sign Language, the language of the urban deaf community in Turkey.
Primary investigator: Ulrike Zeshan
Project Details
Location: Turkey, Europe
Organiser(s):
Endangered Languages Documentation Programme
Project partner(s): University of Central Lancashire
Funder(s):
Arcadia
Funding received: £74,980.00
Commencement Date: 01/2006
Project Status: Completed
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