Sign Language Sign Language Handshapes and Classifiers 2

Question 1

What are the five parameters of ASL signs?

Accepted Answer

Handshape, location, palm orientation, movement, non-manual markers

Answer

The five parameters of ASL signs are handshape, location, palm orientation, movement, and non-manual markers—changing any one can change the meaning of a sign.

Question 2

What are 'minimal pairs' in ASL?

Accepted Answer

Two signs that differ in only one parameter

Answer

Minimal pairs in ASL are two signs that are identical in all parameters except one, similar to minimal pairs in spoken languages that differ by one sound.

Question 3

The signs MOTHER and FATHER in ASL differ by which parameter?

Accepted Answer

Location

Answer

MOTHER and FATHER in ASL use the same handshape and movement, but MOTHER is located at the chin while FATHER is located at the forehead.

Question 4

What is the dominant hand in ASL signing?

Accepted Answer

The preferred or stronger hand that typically performs the main sign movement

Answer

The dominant hand is the signer's preferred hand (usually the right for right-handed signers) that performs the primary movement in signs.

Question 5

What is a 'initialized sign' in ASL?

Accepted Answer

A sign that incorporates the first letter of the corresponding English word

Answer

Initialized signs incorporate the handshape of the first letter of the corresponding English word, such as using the W handshape for WATER or the F handshape for FAMILY.

Sign Language Practice Test

Sign Language Practice Test

Sign Language Sign Language Handshapes and Classifiers 2