On homesign systems as a potential window on language evolution

It may be possible to infer some features of language evolution from properties of homesigns – the rudimentary gestural systems created by certain deaf children. On this belief, homesigns offer a potential window on language evolution. The present article makes an assessment of the heuristic potential of a homesigns window on language evolution. And it addresses the question of what would be involved in constructing a full-blown homesigns window.