NIC Written Test - ASL Interpreting Questions
and Correct Answers | 2025 Update
Communication - ANSWER Interactive and dynamic process in which
communicators simultaneously send and receive multiple overlapping messages
Noise - ANSWER Anything that distracts participants from their communication
External Noise - ANSWER Flickering Lights, Coughing, Mics Squeal
Physiological Noise - ANSWER Biological factors like illness
Psychological Noise - ANSWER Internal Stress (In our heads)
Pragmatic Rules - ANSWER Help determine meaning within a given context
Equivocal language - ANSWER Deliberate use of words that can be interpreted
in more than one way "That new shirt is... different"
Euphemistic language - ANSWER Socially acceptable terms in place of blunt
words "Gone to a better place"
Abstract Language - ANSWER Degrees of imprecision. The less specific, the
more abstract (camping, jewelry)
,Linguistic Register - ANSWER Degree of formality in a message construction
Frozen Register - ANSWER A text that is the same each time it is rendered.
Archaic meaning found in ritual not words. More importance on actions.
Frozen Setting - ANSWER Weddings, Funerals, Graduations, Anthems, Prayers
More Aspects of Frozen register - ANSWER NO turn taking, clearly enunciated,
audience preparation. Large signing space. GOALS - Unite, evoke reverence, and
deliver proclamation
Formal Register - ANSWER Register used when one speaker addresses a large
group. No informal or spontaneous turn taking (limited/controlled). Slower rate,
clear diction, well articulated. Enlarged signing space so all can see/hear.
Formal Register Continued part 1 - ANSWER Settings: ceremonies, speeches,
churches, meetings. Register carries psychological distance. Impersonal topics and
formal vocabulary.
Formal Register Continued part 2 - ANSWER Formal sentence structure is both
compound and complex. Common to contain Frozen texts, passive voice, and
rhetorical questions. May contain informal register or consultative register to
"lighten the mood"
Consultative Register - ANSWER Register where one individual has expert
status or enhanced command of a topic yet interacts with audience/receiver.
Complete compound sentence structure that contains jargon. Unwritten turn-
,taking rules depend on personal style though there is a psychological separation
due to expert status.
Consultative Register Part 1 - ANSWER Settings: Small group, interactions,
interviews, hospitals. Rate of speech depends on physical settings and personality.
Tend to be more conversational. Less physical distance so reduced signing space.
Goals: teach, inform, instruct.
Informal/Casual Register - ANSWER Register used by those with equal status.
Sentences often truncated resulting in fragments. Frequent grammatical errors
and slang terms. Often personal topics.
Informal Register Part 1 - ANSWER Fluid turn-taking. Interruptions are
acceptable. Corrections can be made immediately. Close physical distance and
touch is acceptable. Rapid rate of speaking with less precision. Significantly
reduced signing space. Goals: tease, share, inquire
Intimate Register - ANSWER Register between individuals who have a shared
history or experiential base influencing dynamics. topics may include "inside
jokes".
Intimate Register Continued - ANSWER Rapid turn-taking that is frequently
incomplete. Absence of jargon, able to "read each other's mind". Some lexicon
has personal meaning. Topics are mainly personal
SHHH - ANSWER Self Help for the Hard of Hearing
"Hearing Impaired" - ANSWER Offensive and negative term
, American Sign Language ASL - ANSWER Naturally occurring visual gestural
language that adheres to linguistic rules. Incorporates facial grammatical markers,
physical affect markers, spatial linguistic information, finger-spelling of signed
lexicon, and is a distinct language not based on English.
SSS - ANSWER Sign Supported Speech
Sign Supported Speech - ANSWER Represents manual form of English
(Manually coded English)
Rochester Method - ANSWER Each word is fingerspelled except for "and"
SEE1 - ANSWER "Seeing Essential English" - 1996 by David Anthony. Signs for
each word root/syllable. No consideration for conceptual accuracy. follows English
word/grammar order. Offers Deaf opportunity to learn English in a visual form.
SEE2 - ANSWER "Signing Exact English" by Gustason, Zawalkow, and Pfetzing.
English signed in same manner as spoken English. Believes a sign should have only
one English equivalent and used for all sentences regardless of meaning. Results in
inappropriate conceptual message. Often uses stylized handshapes.
"2 out of 3 Rule" for SEE2 - ANSWER Sound, Meaning, and Spelling. If two of
the three are present then it is acceptable.
and Correct Answers | 2025 Update
Communication - ANSWER Interactive and dynamic process in which
communicators simultaneously send and receive multiple overlapping messages
Noise - ANSWER Anything that distracts participants from their communication
External Noise - ANSWER Flickering Lights, Coughing, Mics Squeal
Physiological Noise - ANSWER Biological factors like illness
Psychological Noise - ANSWER Internal Stress (In our heads)
Pragmatic Rules - ANSWER Help determine meaning within a given context
Equivocal language - ANSWER Deliberate use of words that can be interpreted
in more than one way "That new shirt is... different"
Euphemistic language - ANSWER Socially acceptable terms in place of blunt
words "Gone to a better place"
Abstract Language - ANSWER Degrees of imprecision. The less specific, the
more abstract (camping, jewelry)
,Linguistic Register - ANSWER Degree of formality in a message construction
Frozen Register - ANSWER A text that is the same each time it is rendered.
Archaic meaning found in ritual not words. More importance on actions.
Frozen Setting - ANSWER Weddings, Funerals, Graduations, Anthems, Prayers
More Aspects of Frozen register - ANSWER NO turn taking, clearly enunciated,
audience preparation. Large signing space. GOALS - Unite, evoke reverence, and
deliver proclamation
Formal Register - ANSWER Register used when one speaker addresses a large
group. No informal or spontaneous turn taking (limited/controlled). Slower rate,
clear diction, well articulated. Enlarged signing space so all can see/hear.
Formal Register Continued part 1 - ANSWER Settings: ceremonies, speeches,
churches, meetings. Register carries psychological distance. Impersonal topics and
formal vocabulary.
Formal Register Continued part 2 - ANSWER Formal sentence structure is both
compound and complex. Common to contain Frozen texts, passive voice, and
rhetorical questions. May contain informal register or consultative register to
"lighten the mood"
Consultative Register - ANSWER Register where one individual has expert
status or enhanced command of a topic yet interacts with audience/receiver.
Complete compound sentence structure that contains jargon. Unwritten turn-
,taking rules depend on personal style though there is a psychological separation
due to expert status.
Consultative Register Part 1 - ANSWER Settings: Small group, interactions,
interviews, hospitals. Rate of speech depends on physical settings and personality.
Tend to be more conversational. Less physical distance so reduced signing space.
Goals: teach, inform, instruct.
Informal/Casual Register - ANSWER Register used by those with equal status.
Sentences often truncated resulting in fragments. Frequent grammatical errors
and slang terms. Often personal topics.
Informal Register Part 1 - ANSWER Fluid turn-taking. Interruptions are
acceptable. Corrections can be made immediately. Close physical distance and
touch is acceptable. Rapid rate of speaking with less precision. Significantly
reduced signing space. Goals: tease, share, inquire
Intimate Register - ANSWER Register between individuals who have a shared
history or experiential base influencing dynamics. topics may include "inside
jokes".
Intimate Register Continued - ANSWER Rapid turn-taking that is frequently
incomplete. Absence of jargon, able to "read each other's mind". Some lexicon
has personal meaning. Topics are mainly personal
SHHH - ANSWER Self Help for the Hard of Hearing
"Hearing Impaired" - ANSWER Offensive and negative term
, American Sign Language ASL - ANSWER Naturally occurring visual gestural
language that adheres to linguistic rules. Incorporates facial grammatical markers,
physical affect markers, spatial linguistic information, finger-spelling of signed
lexicon, and is a distinct language not based on English.
SSS - ANSWER Sign Supported Speech
Sign Supported Speech - ANSWER Represents manual form of English
(Manually coded English)
Rochester Method - ANSWER Each word is fingerspelled except for "and"
SEE1 - ANSWER "Seeing Essential English" - 1996 by David Anthony. Signs for
each word root/syllable. No consideration for conceptual accuracy. follows English
word/grammar order. Offers Deaf opportunity to learn English in a visual form.
SEE2 - ANSWER "Signing Exact English" by Gustason, Zawalkow, and Pfetzing.
English signed in same manner as spoken English. Believes a sign should have only
one English equivalent and used for all sentences regardless of meaning. Results in
inappropriate conceptual message. Often uses stylized handshapes.
"2 out of 3 Rule" for SEE2 - ANSWER Sound, Meaning, and Spelling. If two of
the three are present then it is acceptable.
