How do people use sign languages in different situations around the world? How are sign languages distributed globally? What happens when they come in contact with spoken and written languages? These and other questions are explored in this new introduction to the sociolinguistics of sign languages and deaf communities. An international team brings insights and data from a wide range of sign languages, from the USA, Canada, England, Spain, Brazil and Australia. Topics covered include multilingualism in the global deaf community, sociolinguistic variation and change in sign languages, bilingualism and language contact between signed and spoken languages, attitudes towards sign languages, sign language planning and policy, and sign language discourse. Sociolinguistics and Deaf Communities will be welcomed by students of sign language and interpreting, teachers of sign language, and students and academics working in linguistics.

‘Seminal scholars in the field synthesize and reflect on an impressive span of research questions, approaches, and illustrative data … A very welcome resource for teachers and scholars in this field.'

Rachel McKee - Victoria University of Wellington

'… the book is likely to whet students’ appetite for more information about the sociolinguistics of Deaf communities, and the authors’ outlining of important areas for future research provides a useful signposting of priorities for those who seek to become engaged in this field.'

Bencie Woll Source: Journal of Sociolinguistics