Sign Language

British Sign Language and American Sign Language are

• essentially the same, but with minor differences

• very different

• identical

• different, but mutually intelligible

Answer explanation

American Sign Language (ASL), also used in much of Canada, is heavily influenced by French Sign Language.

British Sign Language (BSL) is similar to Australian Sign Language.

Fingerspelling (spelling out words letter by letter) is a useful skill, but is a poor substitute for a knowledge of sign language because:

• it is slower to communicate letter by letter

• fingerspelling does not include grammar rules

• it is very difficult to communicate emotion through fingerspelling alone

• all of these

  
  

Answer explanation

Sign language uses hand movements, facial expressions, and body language to communicate. Fingerspelling is not a language of its own and does not have grammatical structures and syntaxes.

6. Sign languages are not 'simple' and can convey complex ideas as effectively as spoken languages.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Poetry is written in sign languages, and jokes are told all the time!

Which of the following is a characteristic of sign languages?

• They have their own grammar and syntax.

• They are universal and the same worldwide.

• They are only used by deaf people.

• They are simpler than spoken languages.

What is the primary purpose of sign language?

• To communicate with animals.

• To facilitate communication among people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• To replace spoken languages entirely.

• To serve as a secret code.

Which of the following is true about American Sign Language (ASL)?

• It is derived from British Sign Language.

• It is used primarily in the United States and parts of Canada.

• It is identical to French Sign Language.

• It is a written language.

In sign language, what does the term 'fingerspelling' refer to?

• Using handshapes to represent letters of the alphabet.

• Using facial expressions to convey emotions.

• Using body movements to tell a story.

• Using gestures to indicate directions.

Which of the following is NOT a component of sign language?

• Handshapes

• Facial expressions

• Tone of voice

• Body movements

How does sign language differ from spoken language in terms of expression?

• Sign language cannot express emotions.

• Sign language relies on visual-manual modality.

• Sign language is less expressive than spoken language.

• Sign language uses sound to convey meaning.

What is a common misconception about sign languages?

• They are as complex as spoken languages.

• They are only used in educational settings.

• They are universal and the same everywhere.

• They can convey abstract concepts.