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Silence and Sign Language in Medieval Monasticism explores the rationales for religious silence in early medieval abbeys and the use of nonverbal forms of communication among monks when rules of silence forbade them from speaking. After examining the spiritual benefits of personal silence as a form of protection against the perils of sinful discourse in early monastic thought, this work shows how the monks of the Abbey of Cluny (founded in 910 in Burgundy) were the first to employ a silent language of meaning-specific hand signs that allowed them to convey precise information without recourse to spoken words. Scott Bruce discusses the linguistic character of the Cluniac sign language, its central role in the training of novices, the precautions taken to prevent its abuse, and the widespread adoption of this custom in other abbeys throughout Europe, which resulted in the creation of regionally specific idioms of this silent language.

Christian religious orders --- Christian spirituality --- Semiotics --- anno 800-1199 --- Cluny --- 271.1 <44 CLUNY> --- Benedictijnen--Frankrijk--CLUNY --- 271.1 <44 CLUNY> Benedictijnen--Frankrijk--CLUNY --- Cluny (Benedictine abbey). --- Monastic and religious life --- Sign language --- Silence --- Solitude --- 091:271 --- Seclusion --- Loneliness --- Privacy --- Noise --- Deaf --- Gesture language --- Language and languages --- Gesture --- Signs and symbols --- Monastic life --- Spirituality (in religious orders, congregations, etc.) --- Monasticism and religious orders --- Spiritual life --- Vows --- 091:271 Handschriftenkunde. Handschriftencatalogi-:-Kloosterwezen. Religieuze orden en congregaties. Monachisme --- Handschriftenkunde. Handschriftencatalogi-:-Kloosterwezen. Religieuze orden en congregaties. Monachisme --- History --- Religious aspects&delete& --- Christianity --- Cluny (Benedictine abbey) --- Cluny, France (Benedictine abbey) --- Cluny Abbey --- Abbaye de Cluny --- Abbey of Cluny --- Cluny (France). --- Cluniacs --- Religious aspects --- Christianity. --- Vie religieuse et monastique --- Langage par signes --- Histoire --- Aspect religieux --- Christianisme --- Sign language. --- Monastic and religious life - France - Cluny - History - Middle Ages, 600-1500 --- Silence - Religious aspects - Christianity --- Solitude - Religious aspects - Christianity --- Sign language - France - Cluny --- Arts and Humanities