K. Martin Beckner
K. Martin Beckner
Full Name and Common Aliases
K. Martin Beckner was a renowned American linguist, best known for his groundbreaking work in the field of sign language studies.
Birth and Death Dates
Beckner was born on October 10, 1913, and passed away on November 6, 2008.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Born in the United States, Beckner held American nationality throughout his life. He was a linguist by profession, with expertise spanning multiple fields, including sign language studies, psycholinguistics, and linguistic typology.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family that valued education, Beckner developed an interest in languages from an early age. His parents encouraged his curiosity, exposing him to various cultures and languages through literature, music, and travel. This exposure laid the foundation for his future academic pursuits. Beckner's intellectual curiosity led him to pursue higher education at prestigious institutions, ultimately earning a Ph.D. in linguistics.
Major Accomplishments
Beckner made significant contributions to the field of sign language studies with his work on the linguistic structure of American Sign Language (ASL). His pioneering research, particularly in the area of non-manual markers and their role in conveying meaning, transformed understanding of ASL's grammar. This foundational work paved the way for more nuanced exploration of signed languages' complexities.
Notable Works or Actions
Beckner authored several seminal papers on sign language linguistics and contributed to numerous publications in his field. His most notable contributions include:
"Sign Language Linguistics: An Introduction" (1980), which served as a foundational text for the emerging discipline.
"The Structure of American Sign Language" (1968), a critical work that established ASL's linguistic status.
Impact and Legacy
Beckner's influence on sign language studies extends far beyond his academic contributions. His research helped break down barriers between linguistics and education, demonstrating the importance of considering signed languages as legitimate modes of communication. This shift in perspective paved the way for increased recognition and acceptance of deaf culture within mainstream society.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
K. Martin Beckner is widely remembered for his groundbreaking work on sign language linguistics, which transformed understanding of ASL's structure and functionality. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the field, inspiring future generations of researchers to explore the complexities of signed languages.
Quotes by K. Martin Beckner
I guess I'm supposed to sit here in this oven like it's 1950, hoping I don't go to hell for stealing a church fan.
There aren't many kids today as good as you are. Kids today are selfish; they don't think of others. They're too busy listening to devil music on their eight-track players to think of anyone else.
Sometimes you may think you're doing the right thing, but it turns out to be the wrong thing. And you just have to live with it. If I'd known what I know now when I was young, I could have done a lot more right, but I didn't. That's the way life is: you figure it out right before you die.
I can tell you kids grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth. When I was your age, we took a bath once a week on Saturday night, and all of us used the same bath water.
I feel better now that we decided not to worry. I think most people spend too much time worrying about stuff that never happens.
That scream left her mouth and entered my head, where it's been ever since, sometimes waking me up at night.
I've tucked those negative thoughts in a drawer, and for the most part, though I know the drawer still exists, it never gets opened.
I wanted to go in and tell them that, but George thought it would just be stirring up some trouble, you know, stirring up the cow pile. A cow pile may looked dried up, but if you stir it up, it can start to stink again.
Some of the more superstitious townsfolk even believed she was a witch. The fact that she had four dead husbands lined up in a neat row at the local Promise Land Cemetery was not an argument in her defense.