No adequate descriptive grammar/reference grammar exists for SASL. There are several research articles on various aspects of the grammar, but the information is dispersed across many sources and is not always easily accessible. These are also usually not formulated in a way which is suitable for a wide range of users, such members of the Deaf community, teachers of deaf children, second language learners of SASL. The goal of the day workshop is to explore the issue of accessibility.
A start has already been made with writing sections of the grammar, pulling together what has been researched. Video examples are widely used; texts are provided in SASL and in Afrikaans and English. The structure being used is that of the SignGramBlueprint and the digital structure will use the SignHub website. A glossary of linguistic terms is available as part of the platform.
During the workshop, representatives from the Deaf community, deaf educationalists and other interested parties will discuss the accessibility of the website, the use of terms and definitions, and related issues. This feedback will help to achieve texts that are easy to understand and can be widely used.
Anne Baker has been interested in the structure of languages since the beginning of her academic career. She has a BA in Modern Languages, Psychology and Computer Science (Keele University, UK). Her PhD was from the University of York (UK) on the comparison of first and second language learning. She has also specialised in the study of sign languages for many years. She first worked on Sign Language of the Netherlands as professor at the University of Amsterdam. Since being appointed professor extraordinary at Stellenbosch University in 2013, she has focused on SASL. She has studied the structure of sign languages and their acquisition by children. The edited book The Linguistics of Sign Languages: An introduction is widely used in teaching.
She has had several advisory roles, such as to the Dutch government on recognizing Sign Language of the Netherlands as an official language. She also functions as an Advisor to the Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) for SASL.
In this project she is working closely with Prof. Kate Huddlestone from General Linguistics at Stellenbosch University, also involving other authors across the country.