About the Lab
The UConn Sign Linguistics and Language Acquisition Laboratory is directed by Diane Lillo-Martin. Our research explores human language acquisition with a focus on sign linguistics.
We have many ongoing projects both exclusively, and in collaboration with other labs. Please browse our current research and other lab information using the tabs at the top of this page and the links on the right side of this page.
We have many ongoing projects both exclusively, and in collaboration with other labs. Please browse our current research and other lab information using the tabs at the top of this page and the links on the right side of this page.
Lab Photos
Inside Our Lab - 2018
Members of the SLLA lab performing at UConn's Deaf Awareness Day 2018
Our Research Focus
What makes the human mind ready for language? Our lab addresses this question from a variety of angles.
We know there are thousands of languages around the world with many notable differences between them. Yet, there are significant similarities among the world’s languages known as universals. These universals are a fascinating component of linguistic research.
Most knowledge about the universals of language comes from studying spoken languages, but sign languages must be considered as well, in order to have a complete picture of the true universal properties of language. In some cases, sign languages show the effects of proposed linguistic universals; but there are also differences between spoken and sign languages which must be taken seriously.
Our research often addresses these major questions by investigating the timecourse of language development by young children.
We know there are thousands of languages around the world with many notable differences between them. Yet, there are significant similarities among the world’s languages known as universals. These universals are a fascinating component of linguistic research.
Most knowledge about the universals of language comes from studying spoken languages, but sign languages must be considered as well, in order to have a complete picture of the true universal properties of language. In some cases, sign languages show the effects of proposed linguistic universals; but there are also differences between spoken and sign languages which must be taken seriously.
Our research often addresses these major questions by investigating the timecourse of language development by young children.
Contact
- University of Connecticut
- Department of Linguistics
- 365 Fairfield Way, Unit 1145
- Storrs, CT 06269-1145
- Lab address: Oak Hall Room 372
- Lab Manager: Meghan Shaw
- meghan.n.shaw@uconn.edu
Links
LINGUISTICS
UConn Linguistics
Linguistic Society of America
Linguist List
SIGN LANGUAGES & SL RESEARCH
SLLA Lab on Twitter
ASL SLAASh Project on Twitter
ASL at UConn
SLLS
TOOLS (Free and open to the public!)
ELAN (MPI)
ASL SignBank
SLLA lab manual (for student workers)
News
- Spring Semester Lab MeetingsHere’s the schedule for our lab meetings for the spring 2019 semester. Contact the lab manager if you aren’t a lab member but would like to join a meeting or learn more about a project! Thursday, January 31st – Paths to and from graduate school Friday, February 22nd – SAGA (Sign and Gesture Archive) Tuesday, […]
- Fall Semester Lab MeetingsHere’s the schedule for our lab meetings for the fall. Contact the lab manager if you aren’t a lab member but would like to join a meeting or learn more about a project! August 30th – Introduction to the lab, overview of projects September 20th – ASL SignBank, IX project October 18th – ASL Input […]