Sign Language Sign Language Grammar and Syntax 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the basic word order used in American Sign Language (ASL)?
- Subject-Verb-Object
- Topic-Comment (Correct answer)
- Verb-Subject-Object
- Object-Subject-Verb
Correct answer: Topic-Comment
ASL primarily uses Topic-Comment structure, where the topic is established first, then a comment is made about it.
Question 2: What is the term for the use of space in front of the signer to represent people or objects in ASL?
- Classifiers
- Spatial grammar (Correct answer)
- Mouth morphemes
- Non-manual markers
Correct answer: Spatial grammar
Spatial grammar in ASL involves assigning referents to locations in the signing space to show relationships between them.
Question 3: Which of the following are non-manual markers (NMMs) in ASL?
- Handshapes
- Finger movements
- Facial expressions and head tilts (Correct answer)
- Palm orientations
Correct answer: Facial expressions and head tilts
Non-manual markers include facial expressions, head movements, and mouth morphemes that carry grammatical meaning in ASL.
Question 4: How is a yes/no question indicated in ASL?
- By signing the word QUESTION
- By raising the eyebrows and tilting the head forward (Correct answer)
- By lowering the eyebrows and leaning forward
- By shaking the head side to side
Correct answer: By raising the eyebrows and tilting the head forward
Yes/no questions in ASL are marked by raised eyebrows and a forward head tilt held throughout the question.
Question 5: What type of ASL sentence uses furrowed eyebrows and a forward lean?
- Rhetorical questions
- Yes/no questions
- Wh-questions (Correct answer)
- Conditional sentences
Correct answer: Wh-questions
Wh-questions (who, what, where, when, why, how) are marked by furrowed eyebrows and often a forward lean of the head.
Question 6: What is a 'classifier' in ASL?
- A handshape that represents a category of objects or their movement (Correct answer)
- A type of fingerspelling
- A way to sign numbers
- A grammatical pause between sentences
Correct answer: A handshape that represents a category of objects or their movement
Classifiers are specific handshapes that represent categories of objects, people, or vehicles and can show their location and movement.
Sign Language Sign Language Grammar and Syntax 1
What is the basic word order used in American Sign Language (ASL)?