As línguas de sinais que são visuais-espaciais oferecem um campo de análise que se refere aos possíveis efeitos que a diferença na modalidade pode implicar para as teorias lingüísticas e para as análises discursivas. Neste artigo, vamos nos deter a discutir os efeitos de modalidade na perspectiva teórica apresentando uma revisão dos estudos clássicos das línguas de sinais, bem como dos estudos que buscam compreender as especificidades dessas línguas.
The widest framework available for the treatment of language problems is offered by sociolinguistics. The author of the article begins by introducing sociolinguistics, & claims that one of its four basic thematic clusters, which he calls 'Sociolinguistics IV,' is fully devoted to language problems. Mainstream Sociolinguistics, a US-based social network that has made a fundamental contribution to sociolinguistics since the 1960s, developed a version of 'Sociolinguistics IV' that is known as Language Planning. It is in confrontation with Language Planning that the theory of Language Management grew in the 1980s & 1990s. This paper briefly discusses the contribution & problems characteristic of Language Planning & outlines the main features of the Language Management theory. Among these, special attention is paid to the process of language management, which develops out of deviations from norms, whereby some of the deviations are noted, some of the noted deviations are evaluated, & certain adjustment plans are considered & implemented. Finally, the paper suggests that the Language Management theory could perhaps make a valid contribution to other social science disciplines, such as sociology or political science.
