Jarkko Keränen is a Finnish academic and sign-language researcher affiliated with the University of Jyväskylä. Their research focuses on the nature of iconicity in Finnish Sign Language (FinSL), particularly challenging traditional visuocentric views by arguing that sign languages are inherently multisensory.
Early Life and Background
Keränen is originally from Oulu, Finland[1]. Their academic background includes study in sign language and linguistics, culminating in a Master of Arts (or equivalent) degree (FM) prior to their doctoral work.
Academic Position
At the University of Jyväskylä, Keränen is a Doctoral Researcher in the Department of Language and Communication Studies, part of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. They are also connected to other research and project activities at the university in the domain of sign language studies and multimodal communication. Their ORCID profile confirms their associations and publication record[2][3].
Research Focus and Dissertation
Keränen’s doctoral dissertation was published an defended on August 2025 at University of Jyväskylä. The dissertation argues against the long-standing view that sign language is mainly or solely visual in its modality. Instead, Keränen proposes that both form and meaning in Finnish Sign Language are multisensory, involving not only vision but also somatosensation (touch), and potentially other senses.
Beyond theoretical contributions, Keränen suggests practical implications in fields such as psychotherapeutic work, sign language interpretation, and sign language art. Methodologically, the work suggests reconsidering how research on sign language treats nonvisual sensory data[3].
Public Reception and Media Coverage
Media outlets in Finland have reported on Keränen’s dissertation, especially its challenge to a “visuo-centric” conception of sign language—that is, the idea that sign languages are dominantly or exclusively visual[1][3]. Keränen has spoken in media about the continued existence of prejudices toward deaf people in various domains of life and the media mention that Keränen has had experiences beyond academia, including participation in reality TV[1].
- Taulavuori, R. (29 August 2025). Kuuro väittelijä haastaa käsityksiä viittomakielestä – Oulusta kotoisin oleva Jarkko Keränen on ehtinyt myös seikkailla tosi-tv-sarjassa. Kaleva.
- University of Jyväskylä. (n.d.). Jarkko Keränen – University of Jyväskylä profile. Jyväskylä University.
- University of Jyväskylä. (20 August 2025). Dissertation: Sign language is much more than just visual – both form and meaning are multisensory (Keränen). Jyväskylä University News.
