CDI Specialized Communication Modalities and Linguistic Diversity 3

Question 1

What is Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE), and how does it differ from SEE?

Accepted Answer

CASE uses English word order with ASL signs chosen for conceptual accuracy rather than English morpheme-by-morpheme coding, unlike SEE which codes each English morpheme

Answer

CASE (also called PSE by some) uses ASL signs in English word order and selects signs for conceptual meaning, whereas SEE codes English morphemes individually with invented signs, making CASE more fluid and semantically driven.

Question 2

Why is SimCom (simultaneous communication—speaking and signing at the same time) generally considered less effective for Deaf consumers?

Accepted Answer

Producing speech and ASL simultaneously forces compromises in both modalities, typically degrading ASL grammar and reducing overall message accuracy

Answer

Research shows that producing spoken English and grammatically correct ASL simultaneously is cognitively impossible; one or both modalities suffer degradation, most often ASL grammar, reducing message accuracy for Deaf consumers.

Question 3

Which communication modality is most commonly used in Deaf-Blind communities that have adopted the ProTactile philosophy?

Accepted Answer

A touch-based, body-centered communication system that uses the receiver's body as a communication field for spatial and environmental information

Answer

ProTactile communication uses the receiver's body as a field for conveying information, including back-channels on the knee, spatial grammar on the hand/arm, and environmental descriptions through touch.

Question 4

When a CDI is preparing to work with a Deaf consumer who is known to use a language variety the CDI is less familiar with (e.g., a regional dialect or Black ASL), what is the most ethical course of action?

Accepted Answer

Disclose the limitation to the referral agency and consumer, seek guidance or a more qualified CDI if needed, and if proceeding, allocate extra preparation and check-in time with the consumer

Answer

Ethical practice requires transparency about limitations; the CDI must disclose reduced familiarity, allow stakeholders to make an informed decision, and take preparatory steps to serve the consumer as well as possible.

Question 5

What does the term 'language deprivation' refer to in the context of CDI practice?

Accepted Answer

The absence of timely, accessible language input during the critical period of language acquisition, which can result in incomplete first-language acquisition

Answer

Language deprivation occurs when a child does not receive adequate accessible language input during the critical window of development, often resulting in incomplete grammar, limited vocabulary, and cognitive-linguistic challenges that CDIs must recognize and accommodate.

CDI - Certified Deaf Interpreter Practice Test

CDI - Certified Deaf Interpreter Practice Test

CDI Specialized Communication Modalities and Linguistic Diversity 3