Czech sign language vocabulary in a specific area of linguistic terminology

The thesis aims to describe selected signs of Czech Sign Language used for linguistic terminology. Based on academic literature the first section explains the terminology as part of the lexicon and the specific position it has in signed languages. The focus is on linguistic terminology used in the Deaf Studies programme at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University including its metalinguistic aspect. The research section presents selected Czech Sign Language signs used for instruction in the Deaf Studies programme. The formal and semantic motivation of signs is analysed, i.e. the word-formation principles (such as arbitrariness, iconicity, calquing etc.). In case of the incidence of two variants, their form and relation is delineated. The research material is comprised of video tapes of native Czech Sign Language user in real class instruction and spoken language instruction interpreted into Czech Sign Language. Collected data might serve as a guideline for terminology unification in the field of sign linguistics and in class instruction, as well as in training of new interpreters at the Institute of Deaf Studies, alternatively in instruction of deaf pupils. Key words: Czech Sign Language, linguistic terminology, linguistic terminology of Czech Sign Language, motivation of signs in Czech Sign..