This paper addresses some relevant theoretical and methodological issues to be considered
in the study of early bilingualism. The meaning of being a bilingual in sign language and spoken
language is explained, and similarities as well as differences with bilinguals in two spoken languages
are discussed taking into account sociolinguistic implications. The theoretical perspective on sign
languages as minority languages will be referred to the situation of Italian Sign Language (LIS) and
compared with the situation of other spoken minority languages in the Italian context. The results
of three empirical studies on deaf children exposed to both LIS and spoken Italian, are reviewed,
highlighting the following issues : - family attitude toward bilingual education - the importance of
the methodology adopted for lexical assessment of deaf bilingual preschoolers - the relationship between
the two languages in early lexical acquisition of a deaf bilingual child with cochlear implant.
