Sign Language Studies in Paris
Paris, France
Overview
FACULTY LEADER
Peggy Lottplott@ucsd.edu
Academic study of ASL and other sign languages has been the focus of much of Professor Lott's life. After encountering ASL as a child, she learned signs from friends during middle school and high school and snuck into one of San Diego's first sign language classes in the evenings. When she began as an undergraduate at UC San Diego, ASL wasn't yet offered in the LLP, so she reviewed the accuracy of her signs by enrolling in independent study in the Linguistics Language Lab. After graduating, she began teaching ASL at San Diego Mesa College, and just prior to taking several years to complete her PhD in Anthropology of Deaf Culture, she lived in Paris at L’Institut National de Jeunes Sourds for five months. Seeing students excel in their acquisition and understanding of ASL is her number one career goal. (Photo Credit: Erik Jepsen)
ACADEMIC FOCUS
- LIGN 9GS: Sign Languages & Deaf Culture in the U.S. & France (PDF draft syllabus)
- LIGN 149GS: Historical Roots of ASL (PDF draft syllabus)
WHY YOU SHOULD GO
Some estimates claim that one third of the signs used in ASL today are related to French signs. The two languages, however, are not mutually intelligible. Practice with French signs for many basic concepts will enable students to experience how comprehension can be achieved through an implicitly negotiated process of creating bridges between signs of different languages. Participation in excursions and cultural visits will turn students’ classroom discussions into actual practice, where their knowledge of ASL will truly be an asset in live interactions with French deaf people.
WHO SHOULD GO?
Anyone! No prior signing or linguistics experience is required.
Both courses in the seminar may be applied toward the linguistics minor in language studies/ASL. The upper division course has been approved for the DEI requirement since its focus is the exploration of cultural connections between ASL and several sign languages of people of color. Consult your academic advisor to determine officially how the courses will apply to your graduation requirements.
Information Sessions
- Thursday, Jan 19 at 3:00 - 4:30 pm
- Register here for the live Zoom link, and/or to get the post-session recording.
DATES
| Departure from U.S.: | Sat., July 1, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Arrival: | Sun., July 2, 2023 |
| Mandatory Orientation: | Mon., July 3, 2023 |
| First Day of Class: | Tues., July 4, 2023 |
| Last Day of Class: | Fri., August 4, 2023 |
| Departure for the U.S. (or personal travel): |
Sat., August 5, 2023 |
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
- Do not purchase plane tickets until the program is confirmed. All approved applicants will be notified by e-mail when the program has been confirmed by reaching minimum enrollment.
- Because of the evolving COVID-19 situation, when you do buy tickets, we strongly encourage you to purchase refundable plane tickets or flight cancellation insurance.
- We strongly encourage you to make your flight arrangements to arrive during the window of time specified in order to utilize the program shuttle airport pick up. Times will be clarified in spring.
- Consider purchasing carbon offsets for your flight through your airline.
- The Study Abroad Office will be hosting several flight workshops to provide tips and advice on flight purchases. Check the Study Abroad Calendar for more information.
- Our overseas partner requires that all students be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in this program. The provider will request verification during the pre-departure process. No refunds will be given for failure to comply.
