Grounded in the scholarship and reflecting contemporary developments in the field of signed language linguistics, the sixth edition of Linguistics of American Sign Language provides a clear, comprehensive, and fresh introduction to the structure of ASL. Focusing on language in everyday contexts, this new edition treats ASL as a dynamic system shaped by the diversity of its communities.

Organized into two parts, Linguistics of American SignLanguage begins by exploring fundamental concepts of language within communities, addressing language features, registers, variation and historical change, multilingualism, ideologies, and discourse. This first section sets the stage for in-depth analysis into core areas of linguistic study: syntax, phonology, and morphology. New content provides depth, exploring topics such as the representation of signed languages in texts, corpus linguistics, heritage-language signers, and Black ASL. To show how language is used by multilingual and multimodal individuals within their communities, the book pairs discussion with “grounding texts,” videos of ASL within varied authentic settings.

Linguistics of American Sign Language is supported by a companion website that provides access to the grounding texts and supplementary materials, including downloadable resources for hands-on analysis such as annotated videos and readings. Designed for readers with no background in linguistics, each unit opens with guided questions to prompt reflection and concludes with exercises and recommended readings.

Refining the standard for sign language scholarship, the sixth edition of Linguistics of American Sign Language guides readers beyond technical analysis to explore ASL as a vibrant system rooted in community, culture, and language.