CASLI ASL Linguistics 4

Question 1

In ASL, a 'buoy' is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A held, backgrounded sign that maintains topic prominence while the other hand signs

Answer

Buoys are signs held passively in space by one hand while the dominant hand signs, functioning as discourse-level anchors to maintain reference or frame information.

Question 2

What does the linguistic term 'iconicity' mean in the context of ASL?

Accepted Answer

The form of a sign resembles or is motivated by the thing it represents

Answer

Iconicity in ASL refers to a motivated relationship between a sign's form and its meaning, such as TREE visually resembling a tree's shape.

Question 3

The ASL grammatical marker known as 'POSS' (possessive) is produced by:

Accepted Answer

Directing an open-B palm toward the referent or possessor's locus

Answer

Possessives in ASL are marked by directing an open-B (flat hand) palm toward the locus associated with the possessor in signing space.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes 'initialized signs' in ASL?

Accepted Answer

Signs that use the fingerspelled letter of the corresponding English word as the handshape

Answer

Initialized signs substitute the first letter of the English word's handshape into an existing sign, such as using a W-handshape for WATER instead of the traditional form.

Question 5

Role shift in ASL is primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Indicate that the signer is taking on the perspective of a character or referent in a narrative

Answer

Role shift involves the signer shifting body position, eye gaze, and facial expression to embody a character's perspective, creating direct discourse in ASL narratives.

(CASLI) Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpretation Practice Test

(CASLI) Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpretation Practice Test

CASLI ASL Linguistics 4