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Ronnie Wilbur is a professor in the Department of Linguistics and the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Purdue University. His research focuses on theoretical linguistics, particularly in areas such as semantics, syntax, and morphophonology. He is a leading expert in sign languages, with significant contributions to understanding their structures and implications for human language comprehension and acquisition. Wilbur's work challenges long-held misconceptions about sign languages, demonstrating that they possess complexities akin to spoken languages. He investigates the grammatical use of facial expressions and word order in sign languages, and explores innovative educational strategies for teaching deaf children, emphasizing the importance of sign language proficiency in academic achievement. His rigorous empirical studies reveal that proficient sign language skills can significantly improve deaf children's performance in comparison to their hearing peers. Wilbur's ongoing research examines the intricate syntax and semantics of sign languages, employing advanced methodologies including motion capture to analyze fluent sign production and to draw parallels with speech.
GRE is not required.