Free NAD American Sign Language Proficiency Questions and Answers

Question 1

What is American Sign Language (ASL)?

Accepted Answer

A sign-based language that is used by the deaf community in the U.S. and Canada.

Answer

American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, natural language with its own distinct grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, separate from spoken English. It is primarily used by Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States and Canada for communication. ASL is a visual-gestural language, relying on handshapes, movements, facial expressions, and body postures to convey meaning.

Question 2

How does ASL grammar differ from English?

Accepted Answer

It uses a completely different grammar structure and word order from English.

Answer

ASL is a distinct language with its own unique grammatical rules, which are not based on spoken English. Its syntax often relies on spatial relationships, facial expressions, and non-manual markers to convey meaning, leading to a different word order and sentence structure compared to English. This difference is fundamental to understanding ASL as a complete and independent language.

Question 3

What role does facial expression play in ASL?

Accepted Answer

Facial expressions help convey emotions, tone, and grammar in ASL.

Answer

In ASL, facial expressions are not merely for emotion; they are crucial grammatical components known as non-manual markers. They can indicate question types, negation, adverbs, and the intensity of an action, significantly altering the meaning of a signed sentence. Therefore, they are essential for conveying complete and accurate messages, including tone and emotional nuance.

Question 4

How are questions formed in ASL?

Accepted Answer

By using specific question signs and facial expressions.

Answer

ASL forms questions using a combination of specific question signs (like WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, HOW) and distinct non-manual markers, primarily facial expressions. For example, 'wh-questions' typically involve furrowed brows, while 'yes/no questions' often use raised eyebrows and a slight head tilt. These visual cues are integral to distinguishing questions from statements in ASL.

Question 5

What is the role of classifiers in ASL?

Accepted Answer

Classifiers represent categories of objects or people and show how they move or interact.

Answer

Classifiers in ASL are handshapes that represent a noun and show its movement, location, or relationship to other objects. They function like pronouns, describing the size, shape, and action of a person or object within a signed sentence. This visual representation adds rich detail and spatial information that would otherwise require many words in spoken language.

NAD - National Association of the Deaf Certified Interpreter Practice Test

NAD - National Association of the Deaf Certified Interpreter Practice Test

Free NAD American Sign Language Proficiency Questions and Answers