We are proud to announce the 2nd Sign Language Workshop at the 7th World Congress of African Linguistics (WOCAL-7). Welcome to our homepage!

The Sign Language Workshop and the 7th World Congress of African Linguistics will be held at the University of Buea, Cameroon on 21st August 2012.

After a successful first Sign Language Workshop at the WOCAL-6 in 2009 (Cologne, Germany), we are enthusiastic to continue the inspiring discussion among academics and Deaf community on sign languages and d/Deaf communities in Africa.

The workshop aims to foster international exchange and cooperation in African Sign Language and d/Deaf community research and to contribute to the further development of the field.

The workshop will be accessible for all people and we encourage African Deaf academics and Deaf community leaders to participate in the workshop and present their work. For the first time this exciting event is taking place in Africa, which is a unique opportunity for professionals, academics and Deaf community members in this part of the world to get together and share their experiences and expertise!

NEW ANNOUNCEMENT: THE SIGN LANGUAGE WORKSHOP IS FREE TO ATTEND - THERE IS A WAIVER FOR PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING THE SIGN LANGUAGE WORKSHOP!

THERE WILL BE FREE FOOD FOR SIGN LANGUAGE WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS FOR THE WHOLE CONFERENCE!

THERE WILL BE A DEAF AFRICAN KEYNOTE PRESENTER AT THE WORKSHOP.

The workshop will be preceded by pre-congress workshops (to be announced later).

Call for papers!
The Sign Language Workshop aims to focus on (but not necessarily limited to) sign language description and documentation, deaf community development, deaf education, and the preservation of deaf cultural heritage in Africa. We also provide room for a focus on the Cameroon context. We welcome papers on:

1) Sign language documentation and linguistic analysis
2) Sign languages and gestures in social, cultural, and political contexts
3) Emergence and development of sign languages and deaf communities
4) Sign language in (deaf) education and interpreting training
5) Cameroon Sign Language and the Cameroon Deaf Community

Abstract submission
International Sign is the preferred workshop language. Languages of the workshop include International Sign, Cameroon Sign Language, American Sign Language, French Sign Language, French, and English.

Abstracts can be submitted in any of the languages of the Sign Language Workshop. Abstracts should not exceed 500 words (written versions) or 5 minutes (signed versions).

Abstracts can be submitted by e-mail to:

Videos can be submitted either by e-mail attachment or can be shared with us by web-based services such as dropbox or yousendit

The deadline for abstract submission is 31 October, 2011 EXTENDED to 30 APRIL 2012
The paper selection will be announced by 31 January, 2012 on 15 MAY 2012