CASLI Deaf Culture 4

Question 1

In the context of Deaf culture, what is 'contact signing'?

Accepted Answer

A naturally occurring language variety that arises when ASL and English come into contact, blending features of both

Answer

Contact signing (previously called Pidgin Sign English) is a naturally occurring variety used by Deaf and hearing signers that blends ASL vocabulary and structure with English influences.

Question 2

What is the significance of eye contact in Deaf cultural norms?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining eye contact is essential and considered a sign of respect and engagement in Deaf communication

Answer

In Deaf culture, maintaining eye contact during signed communication is crucial — breaking eye contact signals inattention or disrespect and disrupts the visual communication channel.

Question 3

What does the term 'mainstreaming' mean in Deaf education, and what is a common Deaf cultural critique of it?

Accepted Answer

Mainstreaming places Deaf students in general education classrooms; critics argue it often isolates Deaf students from peers and Deaf cultural transmission

Answer

Mainstreaming places Deaf students in hearing classrooms, often with interpreter support, but critics argue this frequently isolates Deaf students socially and cuts them off from Deaf peers and cultural mentors.

Question 4

Which signed system was designed to represent English grammar visually and is commonly used in some educational settings?

Accepted Answer

Signed Exact English (SEE)

Answer

Signed Exact English (SEE) is a manually coded English system that uses signs to represent every morpheme of spoken English, designed to support English literacy development.

Question 5

What is the Deaf community's general perspective on 'passing' as hearing?

Accepted Answer

Many in the Deaf community view attempts to pass as hearing as a denial of Deaf identity and can lead to psychological stress

Answer

Attempting to 'pass' as hearing — concealing one's deafness to fit into hearing society — is often seen within the Deaf community as a rejection of Deaf identity and can cause internal conflict and psychological harm.

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

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

CASLI Deaf Culture 4