Related Associations
“Founded in 2002, the International Society for Gesture Studies (ISGS) is the only international scholarly association devoted to the study of human gesture. Gesture studies is a rich (and actually very old), interdisciplinary field, broadly concerned with examining the use of the hands and other parts of the body for communicative purposes. Gesture has been found to be indispensable from many arenas of human life, including thought, collaborative work, science, art, music and dance. Engineers seek to build computers that recognize hand-gestures. Cognitive scientists see in them windows into the human mind. Gesture researchers work in diverse academic and creative disciplines including anthropology, linguistics, psychology, history, neuroscience, communication, art history, perfromance studies, computer science, music, theater, and dance.”
“The International Association for the Study of Child Language (IASCL) was founded to promote international and interdisciplinary cooperation in the study of child language.”
“The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is an international non-governmental organisation representing approximately 70 million Deaf people worldwide. It is estimated that more than 80 percent of these 70 million live in developing countries, where authorities are rarely familiar with their needs or desires. Recognised by the United Nations (UN) as their spokes-organisation, WFD works closely with the UN and its various agencies in promoting the human rights of Deaf people in accordance with the principles and objectives of the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other general acts and recommendations of the UN and its specialised agencies. When necessary, WFD uses special, legal or administrative measures to ensure that Deaf people in every country have the right to preserve their own sign languages, organisations, and cultural and other activities. Most important among WFD priorities are Deaf people in developing countries; the right to sign language; and equal opportunity in all spheres of life, including access to education and information.”
The WFD has a fact sheet on sign language (PDF) on their web site. See also their list of Documents and Projects. On 5 January 2016, WFD and SLLS co-signed a Memorandum of Understanding (available in International Sign and in English) as evidence of agreement to work in close partnership for the future benefit of deaf people and to promote and encourage research and teaching in sign language linguistics.
“The European Union of the DEAF (EUD) is a European non-profit making organisation whose membership comprises National Associations of Deaf people in Europe. EUD was established in 1985, and is the only organisation representing the interests of Deaf Europeans at European Union level. EUD aims to establish and maintain EU level dialogues, making sure deaf issues are raised. We do this in consultation with National Deaf Associations’ members.”
“The principal aim of WASLI is to advance the profession of sign language interpreting worldwide.”
On 5 January 2016, WASLI and SLLS co-signed a Memorandum of Understanding as evidence of agreement to work in close partnership.
“Als überregionaler und gemeinnütziger Verein fördert die GGKG die Erforschung der Gebärdensprache Gehörloser und die praktische Umsetzung der gewonnenen Erkenntnisse. Gemeinsam mit Gehörlosen- und anderen Fachverbänden setzt sich die GGKG für die Durchsetzung der Gebärdensprache als Minderheitensprache ein.”
(The GGKG, a transregional society, aims to stimulate research on signed languages of deaf people and the practical translation of the research results. Together with deaf societies and other professional organisations, the GGKG aims for the recognition of sign language as a minority language.)
The GGKG is the co-editor of the journal Das Zeichen, together with the Institute for Sign Language Research, University of Hamburg. SLLS members are entitled to a discounted membership of the GGKG, both within and outside Germany, including the subscription to Das Zeichen.
