UNM linguist explores sign language, genetics and deaf mobility

For University of New Mexico linguist Erin Wilkinson, studying sign language is not just about communication. It is about understanding human diversity, history and resilience.Wilkinson, a faculty member in UNM’s Department of Linguistics and the sign language interpreting program, recently discussed her research on the podcast It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science. Her work spans sign language linguistics, Deaf education, genetics and the global mobility of Deaf communities.“I’ve always been fascinated by languages,” Wilkinson said. “But what really struck me was realizing that sign languages are not universal. They are as different and complex as spoken languages.”Discovering Linguistic DiversityWilkinson’s path into linguistics began with international experiences. As a high school student, she spent a year at a Deaf school in Norway, where she quickly realized that Norwegian Sign Language was entirely different from American Sign Language.“I went there thinking sign languages would be easy to understand,” she said. “Instead, I had to learn a completely new language. That was the moment I began to see myself as a linguist.”She later studied sign language linguistics at Gallaudet University and conducted research in Italy as a Fulbright scholar, focusing on language development in Deaf children. These experiences deepened her interest in comparing sign languages and understanding how they develop under different social conditions.Communication and CommunityWilkinson’s research also explores the diverse language experiences of Deaf individuals. Because most Deaf children are born to hearing parents, early access to sign language is not guaranteed. Educational settings, family decisions and community exposure all shape how language is acquired.“Deaf individuals often become experts at navigating communication challenges,” she said. “They develop an incredible toolbox for connecting with others across different backgrounds.”She notes that Deaf communities frequently form global networks through schools, travel and social connections. Unlike many hearing individuals who remain rooted in one place, Deaf people often travel widely, meeting partners and building relationships across countries and cultures.“That mobility leaves patterns,” Wilkinson said. “You can trace connections across generations.”Genetics and the Deaf ExperienceWilkinson recently participated in an invitation-only Sign Language Genetics Workshop in Paris, where linguists, geneticists, anthropologists and historians examined the relationship between deafness, language and human evolution.One focus of the workshop was Connexin 26, a gene commonly associated with inherited deafness in Europe and North America. Researchers discussed how the gene may have historically offered biological advantages, potentially helping populations survive infectious diseases.“The question becomes not just why deafness exists,” Wilkinson said, “but what Deaf communities can teach us about human biology and social adaptation.”Historical case studies, including villages with high rates of hereditary deafness and accounts from the Ottoman Empire, illustrate how Deaf individuals have formed robust language communities over centuries. These communities developed shared sign systems that were used by both Deaf and hearing residents.Bringing together multiple disciplines allowed researchers to examine how genetics, migration patterns and social structures intersect to shape language development.The Bigger PictureFor Wilkinson, the ultimate goal is not simply to study deafness, but to understand how language evolves and how communities adapt.“Deaf history can be painful,” she said. “But it is also full of innovation, resilience and creativity.”She believes Deaf communities offer valuable insight into communication, mobility and the human capacity to build connection across difference.“We can learn so much from how Deaf people navigate the world,” Wilkinson said.To hear more about Wilkinson’s research and global work on sign language, listen to It’s Probably Not Rocket Science, available at podcast.unm.edu, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.