NIC ASL Proficiency 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which ASL parameter distinguishes the signs MOTHER and FATHER?
- Handshape
- Location (Correct answer)
- Movement
- Palm orientation
Correct answer: Location
MOTHER is produced at the chin and FATHER at the forehead; both use the '5' handshape, making location the distinguishing parameter.
Question 2: In ASL, non-manual markers (NMMs) on a yes/no question include which facial feature?
- Furrowed brows and head tilt
- Raised brows and head tilt forward (Correct answer)
- Squinted eyes and puffed cheeks
- Relaxed brows and open mouth
Correct answer: Raised brows and head tilt forward
Yes/no questions in ASL are marked by raised eyebrows and a slight forward head tilt held at the end of the question.
Question 3: What is the term for the ASL grammatical feature where a signer establishes a location in space to represent a noun and later references that space?
- Indexing
- Spatial mapping
- Referential locus (Correct answer)
- Classifier predicate
Correct answer: Referential locus
A referential locus is a specific point in signing space assigned to a referent so it can be referenced pronominally throughout discourse.
Question 4: Which handshape is used for the ASL number 9?
- Bent 'F' handshape (Correct answer)
- All fingers extended except thumb
- Index and thumb forming a circle with other fingers closed
- Curved '5' handshape
Correct answer: Bent 'F' handshape
The number 9 in ASL uses a bent 'F' handshape where the index finger curves down to touch the thumb.
Question 5: In ASL, what movement feature differentiates the signs GIVE (to me) from GIVE (to you)?
- Handshape changes
- Movement direction reverses (Correct answer)
- Location shifts
- Palm orientation differs
Correct answer: Movement direction reverses
Directional verbs like GIVE change meaning by reversing movement direction — toward signer means 'give me,' away means 'give you.'
Question 6: What is the ASL term for depicting the shape or size of an object using the hands?
- Depicting verb
- Locative classifier
- Size-and-shape specifier (SASS) (Correct answer)
- Entity classifier
Correct answer: Size-and-shape specifier (SASS)
Size-and-shape specifiers (SASS) use hand configuration and movement to visually represent the dimensions and contours of objects.
Question 7: How does ASL typically indicate that an action is habitual or repeated regularly?
- Using a mouth morpheme
- Repeating the verb sign multiple times (Correct answer)
- Adding the sign ALWAYS before the verb
- Changing handshape to the 'H' hand
Correct answer: Repeating the verb sign multiple times
Habitual aspect in ASL is marked by repeating the verb sign with a reduced, regular movement, indicating the action occurs routinely.
NIC ASL Proficiency 2
Which ASL parameter distinguishes the signs MOTHER and FATHER?