Objective
Extensive research over many decades has illuminated the human capacity for language through the study of spoken languages. In the past 20 years research into visual sign languages have provided us with important and unique insights into human language that could not have been obtained by studying spoken languages alone (Emmorey, 2023). For example, we now know that visual sign languages are just as linguistically complex as spoken languages and that developmental and/or acquired language disorders can impact visual sign language perception, production and processing (Mason et al., 2010). We also know that areas in the brain used for spoken language processing are also recruited for visual sign language processing (MacSweeney et al., 2008). Language can also be perceived through touch: the tactile modality. Some deafblind individuals communicate using tactile sign language, as spoken and visual sign languages may be inaccessible for them.
There is some linguistic documentation of tactile sign language in countries such as Sweden (Mesch, 2001), the USA (Edwards, 2017) and India (Kusters, 2017). There is still a dearth of research on tactile sign language in the U.K and worldwide, and compared to spoken and visual sign languages (Simcock et al, 2024). Studying tactile sign language may lead to valuable insights into the nature of human language. This deeper understanding of tactile sign language will enhance our ability to support deafblind individuals and promote their fuller participation in society.
To gain those insights, I propose a novel, multidisciplinary and ground-breaking approach where I will document tactile sign language in British deafblind individuals using linguistic ethnography and corpus linguistics methodologies. I will also use a state-of-the-art functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), to explore whether the classical areas for processing spoken and visual sign languages are also used for tactile sign language processing.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
WC1E 6BT LONDON
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.