Chiara Branchini

Chiara Branchini is an Associate Professor at the Department of Comparative Linguistic and Cultural Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. She is actively involved in teaching Italian Sign Language (LIS) and its linguistics to undergraduate and graduate students, and serves as coordinator of the 1st level Master's degree and Advanced Training Course in 'Theory and Techniques of Translation and Interpretation Italian-LIS'. Her research focuses on the syntax of Italian Sign Language, including linear order, interrogative and imperative sentences, complex sentences, sociolinguistic analysis, and bimodal bilingual production.

• Education: PhD in European Intercultural Studies (2007) from the University of Urbino with thesis 'On relativization and clefting in Italian Sign Language (LIS)'; Master's in Foreign Languages and Literatures (2001) from the University of Urbino with thesis 'The Body at the Service of Language. Analysis of Non-Manual Components in American Sign Language (ASL)'
• Research: Currently collaborating on the drafting of a grammar blueprint for Italian Sign Language within European research project COST ACTION IS 1006; previously participated in national research project PRIN 2007 'Dimensions of variation in Italian Sign Language' by collecting and analyzing the CORPUS LIS
• Projects: Scientific director of FSE 2012 research grant 'Development of a video-glossary of specialist terms in Italian Sign Language (LIS)'; collaborator on European project 'Spread the sign: dissemination in Europe of vocational sign language'
• Publications: Authored numerous articles on LIS syntax, grammar, and bilingualism in outlets like Bilingualism, Sign Language & Linguistics, and Glossa, as well as book chapters in A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS) and SignGram Blueprint
• Editorial Roles: Member of the editorial board for LiLiS (Languages, Language and Deafness) Edizioni Ca' Foscari
• Reviewing: Regular abstract reviewer for international conferences