CASLI Language Comprehension & Production 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes 'chunking' as a comprehension strategy in sign language interpretation?
- Memorizing individual signs in isolation
- Segmenting the source message into meaningful units before processing (Correct answer)
- Breaking fingerspelled words into individual letters
- Grouping signs by handshape for easier recall
Correct answer: Segmenting the source message into meaningful units before processing
Chunking involves processing the source message in meaningful semantic or syntactic units rather than word-by-word, supporting retention and accurate interpretation.
Question 2: When producing an English-to-ASL interpretation, an interpreter who consistently fingerspells words that have established ASL signs is demonstrating:
- Respect for Deaf cultural norms
- Over-reliance on English and insufficient ASL lexical knowledge (Correct answer)
- Appropriate use of initialized signs
- A contact variety of ASL
Correct answer: Over-reliance on English and insufficient ASL lexical knowledge
Excessive fingerspelling when ASL signs exist indicates insufficient ASL vocabulary and can disrupt fluency and comprehension for Deaf consumers.
Question 3: The concept of 'message equivalence' in interpretation means that the interpreter:
- Uses the same number of signs as source words
- Produces a target message that carries the same meaning and intent as the source (Correct answer)
- Translates each word with its dictionary equivalent
- Mirrors the source language structure exactly
Correct answer: Produces a target message that carries the same meaning and intent as the source
Message equivalence requires that the interpreted output convey the same content, meaning, register, and intent as the source, not just surface-level correspondence.
Question 4: Which non-manual marker in ASL signals a yes/no question?
- Lowered eyebrows and forward head tilt
- Raised eyebrows with a head tilt forward or a slight nod at the end (Correct answer)
- Pursed lips and backward head tilt
- Squinted eyes with a side-to-side head shake
Correct answer: Raised eyebrows with a head tilt forward or a slight nod at the end
Yes/no questions in ASL are marked by raised eyebrows (and often a slight forward head tilt or hold at the end), distinguishing them from wh-questions.
Question 5: An interpreter working in a legal setting misinterprets 'shall' as 'should,' changing the obligatory nature of a legal directive. This error is best categorized as a(n):
- Omission error
- Register error
- Semantic/meaning error (Correct answer)
- Phonological error
Correct answer: Semantic/meaning error
Replacing 'shall' (obligation) with 'should' (recommendation) changes the core meaning of the message, constituting a semantic error with potential legal consequences.
Question 6: In ASL discourse, 'eye gaze' directed toward an established referential locus signals:
- That the signer is about to fingerspell a name
- Agreement with or reference to the entity established at that location (Correct answer)
- A shift to a new topic
- The end of a turn in conversation
Correct answer: Agreement with or reference to the entity established at that location
Directing eye gaze toward an established locus is a grammatical device in ASL that refers back to or indicates agreement or interaction with the referent placed there.
Question 7: A CASLI rater observing 'false starts and repairs' in a candidate's ASL production would most likely score this as affecting which competency area?
- Comprehension of the source text
- Fluency and prosody in target language production (Correct answer)
- Cultural mediation skills
- Ethical decision-making
Correct answer: Fluency and prosody in target language production
Frequent false starts and repairs interrupt the flow of the interpretation and are evaluated under target language fluency and prosody in CASLI's production criteria.
CASLI Language Comprehension & Production 3
Which of the following best describes 'chunking' as a comprehension strategy in sign language interpretation?