ASL 2 Deaf-Culture: Questions & Accurate
Answers
American Sign Language (ASL) Correct Answer - ASL is a
visually perceived language based on a naturally evolved system of
articulated hand gestures and their placement relative to the body,
along with non-manual markers such as facial expressions, head
movements, shoulder raises, mouth morphemes, and movements of
the body.
Classifiers Correct Answer - Classifiers are signs that are used
to represent general categories or "classes" of things. They can be
used to describe the size and shape of an object (or person). They
can be used to represent the object itself, or the way the object
moves or relates to other objects (or people). Another definition is:
"A set of handshapes that represent classes of things that share
similar characteristics."
Directionality, also called verb agreement or indicating verbs
Correct Answer - Directionality is characterized by a movement
of the sign that indication the subject and object of the verb. For
example: she-SHOW-me. "She" is the subject, SHOW is the verb, and
"me is the object. This concept is signed with one sign using one
movement, instead of three separate signs. Some sources refer to
these verbs as "inflecting verbs."
Dominant Hand Correct Answer - You fingerspell and sign
primarily with your dominant hand. If you write with your left hand,
then your dominant hand should be your left. If you write with your
right hand, your dominant hand should be your right. If you are
ambidextrous, then it is best to pick one hand to be your dominant
hand and stick with it. Left-handed people tend to sign a mirror
,image of right handed signers. One handed signs use the dominant
hand.
Fingerspelling Correct Answer - Fingerspelling is also
sometimes called "The American Manual Alphabet." It consists of 22
handshapes that when held in certain positions and/or are
produced with certain movements-- represent the 26 letters of the
American alphabet.
Glossing Correct Answer - Gloss is a written or typed
approximation of (or notes regarding) another language. ASL gloss
is a written or typed approximation of ASL typically using English
words as "labels" for each sign along with various grammatical
notes.
Handedness Correct Answer - Handedness is the tendency to
use the hand that feels the most natural for the task. This is your
dominant hand.
Indexing Correct Answer - Indexing is when you point your
index finger at a person who is or isn't in the signing area. If the
person is in the room, you point directly at the person. This is called
present referent. If the person is not in the room, you point to a
space in front of you to represent that person. This is called absent
referent.
Lexicalized fingerspelling Correct Answer - Lexicalized
fingerspelling is fingerspelling that has changed over time to take on
the characteristics of a sign. A lexicalized fingerspelled word tends
to look like and be expressed as a single sign rather than a collection
of fingerspelled letters. Some ASL books or articles indicate
lexicalized fingerspelling by putting a # symbol in front of the
letters. For example: #ALL. Regular fingerspelling is glossed by
placing dashes between the letters. For example, C-A-T.
, Non-dominant hand Correct Answer - If you are right-handed
then your left hand is your non-dominant hand. If you are left-
handed then your right-hand is your non-dominant hand.
Sometimes the non-dominant hand is referred to as the "supporting
hand or the base hand." Some textbooks or articles use the letters
"nd" to refer to the non-dominant hand.
Non-Manual Markers (NMM) Correct Answer - Non-manual
markers are facial expressions or body movements that are used to
inflect or modify signs. We use NMM's to change, influence, or
emphasize the meaning of a sign or signed phrase. For example,
when asking a question that can be answered with a "yes" or "no"
you raise your eyebrows a bit and tilt your head forward slightly.
Sign Parameters Correct Answer - Signs are composed of parts
we call parameters. The five most commonly discussed parameters
of signs are: handshape, location, movement, palm orientation, and
non-manual markers.
Switching Hand dominancy Correct Answer - Random
switching of hand dominancy can be visually disconcerting. Stick
with the same hand has your dominant hand
Signed languages Correct Answer - While ASL is used around
the world in various countries, it is most definitely not universal.
Each country has their own signed language or languages. For
example, England uses British Sign Language, Mexico uses Mexican
Sign Language, France uses French Sign Language and so forth.
International Sign Correct Answer - International Sign is a
highly visual / gestural hybrid of various signed languages that is
used as type of "contact" or intermediary language commonly
signed when users of different signed languages come into contact
Answers
American Sign Language (ASL) Correct Answer - ASL is a
visually perceived language based on a naturally evolved system of
articulated hand gestures and their placement relative to the body,
along with non-manual markers such as facial expressions, head
movements, shoulder raises, mouth morphemes, and movements of
the body.
Classifiers Correct Answer - Classifiers are signs that are used
to represent general categories or "classes" of things. They can be
used to describe the size and shape of an object (or person). They
can be used to represent the object itself, or the way the object
moves or relates to other objects (or people). Another definition is:
"A set of handshapes that represent classes of things that share
similar characteristics."
Directionality, also called verb agreement or indicating verbs
Correct Answer - Directionality is characterized by a movement
of the sign that indication the subject and object of the verb. For
example: she-SHOW-me. "She" is the subject, SHOW is the verb, and
"me is the object. This concept is signed with one sign using one
movement, instead of three separate signs. Some sources refer to
these verbs as "inflecting verbs."
Dominant Hand Correct Answer - You fingerspell and sign
primarily with your dominant hand. If you write with your left hand,
then your dominant hand should be your left. If you write with your
right hand, your dominant hand should be your right. If you are
ambidextrous, then it is best to pick one hand to be your dominant
hand and stick with it. Left-handed people tend to sign a mirror
,image of right handed signers. One handed signs use the dominant
hand.
Fingerspelling Correct Answer - Fingerspelling is also
sometimes called "The American Manual Alphabet." It consists of 22
handshapes that when held in certain positions and/or are
produced with certain movements-- represent the 26 letters of the
American alphabet.
Glossing Correct Answer - Gloss is a written or typed
approximation of (or notes regarding) another language. ASL gloss
is a written or typed approximation of ASL typically using English
words as "labels" for each sign along with various grammatical
notes.
Handedness Correct Answer - Handedness is the tendency to
use the hand that feels the most natural for the task. This is your
dominant hand.
Indexing Correct Answer - Indexing is when you point your
index finger at a person who is or isn't in the signing area. If the
person is in the room, you point directly at the person. This is called
present referent. If the person is not in the room, you point to a
space in front of you to represent that person. This is called absent
referent.
Lexicalized fingerspelling Correct Answer - Lexicalized
fingerspelling is fingerspelling that has changed over time to take on
the characteristics of a sign. A lexicalized fingerspelled word tends
to look like and be expressed as a single sign rather than a collection
of fingerspelled letters. Some ASL books or articles indicate
lexicalized fingerspelling by putting a # symbol in front of the
letters. For example: #ALL. Regular fingerspelling is glossed by
placing dashes between the letters. For example, C-A-T.
, Non-dominant hand Correct Answer - If you are right-handed
then your left hand is your non-dominant hand. If you are left-
handed then your right-hand is your non-dominant hand.
Sometimes the non-dominant hand is referred to as the "supporting
hand or the base hand." Some textbooks or articles use the letters
"nd" to refer to the non-dominant hand.
Non-Manual Markers (NMM) Correct Answer - Non-manual
markers are facial expressions or body movements that are used to
inflect or modify signs. We use NMM's to change, influence, or
emphasize the meaning of a sign or signed phrase. For example,
when asking a question that can be answered with a "yes" or "no"
you raise your eyebrows a bit and tilt your head forward slightly.
Sign Parameters Correct Answer - Signs are composed of parts
we call parameters. The five most commonly discussed parameters
of signs are: handshape, location, movement, palm orientation, and
non-manual markers.
Switching Hand dominancy Correct Answer - Random
switching of hand dominancy can be visually disconcerting. Stick
with the same hand has your dominant hand
Signed languages Correct Answer - While ASL is used around
the world in various countries, it is most definitely not universal.
Each country has their own signed language or languages. For
example, England uses British Sign Language, Mexico uses Mexican
Sign Language, France uses French Sign Language and so forth.
International Sign Correct Answer - International Sign is a
highly visual / gestural hybrid of various signed languages that is
used as type of "contact" or intermediary language commonly
signed when users of different signed languages come into contact
