Professional Experience
From 1987 till 1990 Benjamin worked as a lecturer on Graduate & undergraduate programs in Deaf Studies at Boston University. In addition, from 1987 till 1995 he was also a director of the Undergraduate program in Deaf Studies at the same university.
The period from 1990 to 1995, he worked as an instructor on the Graduate & undergraduate programs in Deaf Studies at Boston University.
By the way, during 1997-2000 he was also a research associate (Applied Linguistics Program, Boston University for participation in the American Sign Language Linguistic Research Project).
During 1996-2001, Benjamin was an associate professor in the department of Deaf Studies (with joint appointment in the Department of ASL, Linguistics and Interpretation) at the Gallaudet University. In addition, practically at the same time – 1996-2002 he was also a chair in the Department of Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University.
During 2002-2005, he was a director in the Graduate Program in Deaf Studies at the same university.
Furthermore, starting from the year 1979 Benjamin has been a Vice-President of Dawn Sign Press, San Diego, CA.
Besides, since 2001 he has been a professor on Department of Deaf Studies at the Gallaudet University.
Works of Benjamin James Bahan
Benjamin is an author of a number of books for children, a lot of articles, Specific presentations, Books and Educational Materials and Videotapes. It is very important to mention that Benjamin has worked with many other works and he has a number of co-authored books.
In 1984 Bahan together with F. Paul wrote the educational book The American Sign Language Handshape Game Cards.
In 1990, Joe Dannis and Benjamin wrote Signs for ME: Basic Sign Vocabulary for Children. According to Mightyape.co.nz, this book teaches American Sign Language to children, featuring more than 300 essential signs along with their English equivalents with a picture “translation.” In addition, this book includes a multidimensional sign language vocabulary for the children of preschool and elementary school. It is made for the children, so common household things, for example, animals, family, emotions, feelings and other concepts are included. Every vocabulary word has a picture with a sign illustration as well as the English word. Furthermore, the following references are included: the American Manual Alphabet with the number signs and of course, a list of various American Sign Language hand shapes. (Signs for ME: Basic Sign Vocabulary for Children, Mightyape.co.nz)
In 1992 together with Supalla Bahan wrote an article concerning the American Sign Language Literature, named Deaf Studies for Educators Conference Proceeding.
That year N. Marbury and Benjamin wrote a book for children named Once Upon A Time: Children’s Classics Told in ASL. That publishing consisted of 6 videotapes and storybooks.
Besides, the same year he wrote and article Deaf Studies What’s Up Conference Proceeding.
In 1994 Benjamin together with Supalla, S. published an education book American Sign Language Literature Series: A Teacher’s Guide and Student Workbook.
The same year Bahan with T. Supalla published two videotapes Charles Krauel: Profile of a deaf filmmaker and American Sign Language Literature Series Collector’s Edition, Teacher’s Videotape and Student Videotape: Bird of a Different Feather & For a Decent Living. Besides, they also published an educational book American Sign Language Literature Series: A Teacher’s Guide and Student Workbook.
In 1996 Benjamin with Lane, H., R.Hoffmeister wrote an education book A Journey into the Deaf World.
One of his latest book co-authored with Carol Neidle, Judy Kegl, Dawn MacLaughlin, and Robert Lee was published in 2000 -The Syntax of American Sign Language: Functional Categories and Hierarchical Structure. And latest DVD was co-written and co-directed with Dirksen Bauman: Audism Unveiled.
Funded Research
Benjamin is one of the investigators of “The Functional Architecture of American Sign Language” (along with C. Neidle, P.I.; J. Kegl, Co-P.I.).
From 1997 till 1999 Bahan and Carol Erting investigated “Language, Literacy and Cultural Development in Bilingual Homes and Classrooms,” at the Gallaudet Research Institute. During 2001 ”“ 2002 Benjamin together with Dirksen Bauman were the principal investigators of “Narrative, Identity, and Theory in Deaf Studies” at the Gallaudet Research Institute.
Conclusion
To sum up, Benjamin James Bahan is a talented person and he works not only as a professor in the department of ASL and Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University. Besides, he is considered to be a good storyteller and author of children’s books. One of his famous books named Signs for ME: Basic Sign Vocabulary for Children (1990), co-authored with Joe Dannis, is a very useful educational book that teaches American Sign Language to children. It includes more than 300 essential signs, their English equivalents with a picture “translation.” In addition, this book has a multidimensional sign language vocabulary for the children of preschool and elementary school.
Moreover, Benjamin is an author of many books and videotapes. Besides, it should be also mentioned that he often works with other authors to make the book more detailed and useful; as a result, one of his most popular books was co-authored with Harlan Lane and Robert Hoffmeister. The book is called A Journey into the DEAF-WORLD.
Nevertheless, Benjamin James Bahan is also a researcher, professor and a presenter on issues concerning the Deaf Studies as well.
Anyway, Benjamin James Bahan has done a lot concerning the improvement of the deaf problems and has created a number of educational materials for the people with such problems.