Dear Colleagues,

Linguistic variation is prevalent in spoken languages and can be found at different linguistic levels. Linguistic variation can be investigated via different theoretic approaches and methodologies, e.g., dialectology, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, language contact, anthropology, etc. As human languages, sign languages exhibit variation in ways similar to spoken languages.

Research on sign language variation started several decades ago, with most studies exploring how sociolinguistic (e.g. age, gender, deafness status, education, family background) and regional factors condition lexical variation in the Deaf community sign languages (i.e., sign languages developed and used main by Deaf people in a community) in western countries. In recent years, the emergence of shared sign languages has drawn considerable attention among sign language researchers. It has been suggested that shared sign languages exhibit more variation than deaf community sign languages do.

In recent years, the emergence of shared sign languages has drawn considerable attention among sign language researchers. It has been suggested that shared sign languages exhibit more variation than deaf community sign languages do. Some latest variation literature argues that signers make use of various forms as a means to construct their social identities. All these findings have enriched our understanding of linguistic variation which was previously based on spoken language research.

The Asia Pacific Region is well-known for its linguistic diversities in spoken languages, yet relatively is known concerning the extent of variation in the sign languages there.  This Special Issue will focus on empirical studies of linguistic variation in sign languages in the Asia Pacific Region.  Research topics may include (but not limited to) the following:

·Deaf community sign languages

·Shared sign languages

·Lexical variation

·Grammatical variation

·Sociolinguitic variables

·Regional differences

·Variation and change

·Variation and social identity

·Variation and levelling

We look forward to receiving your contributions!