句型：

The current interest in sign language has roots in the pioneering work of one rebel teacher at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., the world's only liberal arts university for deaf people.

目前对手语的兴趣源于一位具有反叛精神的教师的先驱性工作，他任教于世界上唯一一所为聋哑人设立的文科性大学——华盛顿加劳德特大学。本句的主干是 interest has roots。

in sign language 为 interest 的后置定语；

at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. 为地点状语；

the world's only liberal arts…为Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. 的同位语。

have roots in 的意思是“源于，根源在于，扎根于”。

如:

Credit crisis can have roots in emotional needs.

信用危机可能源于情感需求。

My family has roots in Wales.

我的家族祖籍在威尔士。

pioneering 的意思是“开创性的，先驱的”。

如:

Such social activities are pioneering.

此类社会活动具有开创性。

句型拓展

与 root 有关的短语有：

get at/get to/strike at the roots of sth. 意为“找到某事物的根源并加以解决”。

如:

The policy never got at the roots of the debt problem.

该政策从未找到债务问题的根源并加以解决。

root and branch 意为“彻底，完全”。

如:

The organization was destroyed root and branch.

该组织被彻底摧毁了。

take/strike root 意为“生根；确立”。

如:

Democracy has never taken root in the country.

该国从未建立起民主制度。