ASL CSET Subtest II: Linguistics questions and
answers 2025\2026 A+ Grade
What is phonology?
- correct answer Study of the sound system of a language
What is morphology?
- correct answer Study of the smallest meaningful units
What is syntax?
- correct answer Study of the grammar of a language
What is semantics?
- correct answer Study of word meaning
What is pragmatics?
- correct answer Study of language used in context
What is assimilation? What part of linguistics does it fall under? (Phonology, morphology, syntax, etc.)
- correct answer One segment takes on the characteristics of the segment near it. Morphology.
ME changing to a U-hs due to the following sign being NAME
What is linguistics?
- correct answer Scientific study of language
What is metathesis?
- correct answer Switching the order of two sounds and each taking the place of one another
, What is lexical borrowing?
- correct answer Borrowing of a word or sign from another language
What are speech acts?
- correct answer Use of language that emphasizes the speakers intention or goal
What is the difference between a direct vs. indirect speech act?
- correct answer One is more literal and more direct whereas the other is hidden, not up front about
what the speaker wants
What is language acquisition?
- correct answer Naturally acquiring a language from birth.
What are the milestones for language acquisition? Do deaf babies and hearing babies acquire language
at different rates?
- correct answer Pre-linguistic stage: Age 0-1, usually involved facial expressions, babbling and gesturing
One-Two word stage: 1-2;6, child uses one or two word phrases
Differentiation stage: 2;6-5, facial expressions and the body are used for grammatical purposes
Adult level stage: 5-9, grammar and lexicon are acquired.
Language acquisition is the same for spoken and signed language. Some studies show that babies who
acquire signed language will communicate earlier than babies exposed to only spoken language.
What is the critical period?
- correct answer Age range where children naturally acquire language instead of being taught. Usually
from 0-7 years old
What are language families?
- correct answer Language stem from the same language but branch off and change over time.
answers 2025\2026 A+ Grade
What is phonology?
- correct answer Study of the sound system of a language
What is morphology?
- correct answer Study of the smallest meaningful units
What is syntax?
- correct answer Study of the grammar of a language
What is semantics?
- correct answer Study of word meaning
What is pragmatics?
- correct answer Study of language used in context
What is assimilation? What part of linguistics does it fall under? (Phonology, morphology, syntax, etc.)
- correct answer One segment takes on the characteristics of the segment near it. Morphology.
ME changing to a U-hs due to the following sign being NAME
What is linguistics?
- correct answer Scientific study of language
What is metathesis?
- correct answer Switching the order of two sounds and each taking the place of one another
, What is lexical borrowing?
- correct answer Borrowing of a word or sign from another language
What are speech acts?
- correct answer Use of language that emphasizes the speakers intention or goal
What is the difference between a direct vs. indirect speech act?
- correct answer One is more literal and more direct whereas the other is hidden, not up front about
what the speaker wants
What is language acquisition?
- correct answer Naturally acquiring a language from birth.
What are the milestones for language acquisition? Do deaf babies and hearing babies acquire language
at different rates?
- correct answer Pre-linguistic stage: Age 0-1, usually involved facial expressions, babbling and gesturing
One-Two word stage: 1-2;6, child uses one or two word phrases
Differentiation stage: 2;6-5, facial expressions and the body are used for grammatical purposes
Adult level stage: 5-9, grammar and lexicon are acquired.
Language acquisition is the same for spoken and signed language. Some studies show that babies who
acquire signed language will communicate earlier than babies exposed to only spoken language.
What is the critical period?
- correct answer Age range where children naturally acquire language instead of being taught. Usually
from 0-7 years old
What are language families?
- correct answer Language stem from the same language but branch off and change over time.
