CASLI ASL Linguistics 5

Question 1

Which researcher is credited with first applying linguistic analysis to ASL and demonstrating it is a true natural language?

Accepted Answer

William Stokoe

Answer

William Stokoe published 'Sign Language Structure' in 1960, the foundational study showing ASL has the full complexity of a natural human language.

Question 2

In ASL, 'depiction' (formerly called 'constructed action') refers to:

Accepted Answer

Using one's own body to embody an action, entity, or concept for visual-spatial representation

Answer

Depiction in ASL involves the signer using their body to visually represent actions, entities, or spatial relationships, creating meaning through showing rather than labeling.

Question 3

What phonological constraint in ASL prohibits two different handshapes from being active simultaneously unless one is dominant?

Accepted Answer

The Symmetry and Dominance Conditions

Answer

Battison's Symmetry and Dominance Conditions state that in two-handed signs, both hands must have the same handshape (symmetry) or the non-dominant hand must use an unmarked handshape (dominance).

Question 4

Reduplication in ASL most commonly marks which grammatical category?

Accepted Answer

Aspect (especially continuative or iterative aspect)

Answer

Reduplication—repeating a sign's movement—typically marks aspectual meaning in ASL, such as indicating a habitual or ongoing action.

Question 5

The concept of 'signing space' in ASL refers to:

Accepted Answer

The three-dimensional area in front of the signer's body used grammatically to establish referents and relations

Answer

Signing space is the grammaticalized spatial field in front of the signer where loci are assigned to referents and spatial grammar is enacted.

(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 5