In Memoriam Bernard Tervoort
A founding father of sign language research has died on August 17: Professor Bernard T. M. Tervoort. His 1953 dissertation at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) was titled ‘Structural analysis of visual language use in a group of deaf children’. It was groundbreaking, pioneering work in sign language research. He was the first to propose a linguistic status for sign languages. As such it predates the works of William Stokoe which usually receives that credit.
Ben Tervoort, a dutch Umberto Eco? (source: crime.nl)
His bibliography of works on sign language lists 102 works. He also wrote crime novels and childrens books. Some other memorials: Viataal, Doof.nl, Nederlands Gebarencentrum
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