Investigating the effects of late sign language acquisition on referent introduction: a follow-up study

Abstract

The present study investigates the effects of late sign language acquisition on the linguistic strategies used in the first introductions of inanimate objects through comparisons between narrations produced by deaf signers exposed to sign language after early childhood (i.e., late signers) and those of deaf signers acquiring sign language from birth (i.e., native signers). According to the results, late sign language acquisition has no hindering effect on the acquisition of the linguistic strategies used in the first introductions of inanimate objects. In addition, both native and late-signing children do not display adult-like patterns. This study suggests that the acquisition of referent introduction seems to be resilient to the effects of late sign language exposure. It also highlights the necessity of more research on different domains to gain insights into the narrative skills of late signers.