Sign language

What does it mean when someone is deaf?

• He or she cannot see

• He or she cannot walk

• He or she cannot hear

• He or she cannot speak

Learning and becoming fluent in a sign language requires a similar amount of time as learning any foreign language.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Sign languages are as complex as oral languages and follow strict rules one needs to learn and practice. Deaf people use mime only when they must address a hearing person who doesn't know their language, but it is a very limited means of expression. Deaf people use manual alphabets only for proper names or concepts where they don't know the sign – spelling each word would be far too time-consuming and tedious!

Where do sign languages come from?

• They were copied by the great apes living in Africa.

• They were invented by the French Abbé de l'Epée between 1760 and 1789.

• They were created in a language lab in the USA.

• They emerged naturally when deaf people were gathered together.

Answer explanation

Sign language is universal. True or false?

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Estimations say there may be as many signed languages as there are spoken languages in the world.

Two deaf people who do not share a common language can communicate more easily than two hearing people in the same situation. True or false?

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The structures of sign languages are closer to each other than those of oral languages. In such situations, deaf people favour iconic structures that allow them to overcome lexical divergences.

Are deaf people usually expert lip-readers?

• Yes

• No

How many living languages are estimated to exist in the world?

• Around 500

• Around 2000

• Around 4000

• Around 6000

Answer explanation

The number of living languages is estimated at around 6000.

Which is the most widely spoken language in the world?

• Hindi

• Chinese

• English

• Spanish

Answer explanation

English is the most widely spoken language in the world. It is estimated that there are about 1.8 billion speakers. Chinese is second with 1.35 billion (mainly native) speakers. Hindi: 650 million speakers; Spanish: 495 million speakers.

Where does the word 'alphabet' come from?

• From Sanskrit

• From the first two letters of the Greek alphabet

• From the name of the Greek god Alphaeus

• From the Egyptian word for 'writing.'

Answer explanation

The word alphabet comes from the first two letters of the Greek Alphabet - alpha and beta.

Which of the following languages belong to the Baltic language group?

• Lithuanian

• Finnish

• Polish

• Latvian

Answer explanation

Latvian and Lithuanian are Baltic languages. Finnish is a Finno-Ugric language and Polish is a Slavic language.