Sign Language Facial Expressions and Non-Manual Markers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In ASL, what grammatical function does a head nod typically serve during signing?
- It marks a question
- It signals affirmation and also marks the topic in a sentence (Correct answer)
- It signals the end of a sentence only
- It expresses disbelief
Correct answer: It signals affirmation and also marks the topic in a sentence
Head nods in ASL signal affirmation or agreement and are also used to mark the topic in a topic-comment sentence structure.
Question 2: What is the 'cs' (cheeks sucked in) mouth morpheme used to indicate in ASL?
- Something is delicious
- Something small, thin, narrow, or done with precision (Correct answer)
- Something is happening very quickly
- A negative statement
Correct answer: Something small, thin, narrow, or done with precision
The 'cs' mouth morpheme, made by sucking in the cheeks, indicates something small, thin, narrow, or precise in nature.
Question 3: Which non-manual marker in ASL signals a conditional clause (if/when)?
- Puffed cheeks and slowed signing
- Raised eyebrows with a slight forward head tilt (Correct answer)
- Furrowed brows with a head shake
- Squinted eyes and pursed lips
Correct answer: Raised eyebrows with a slight forward head tilt
Raised eyebrows with a slight forward head tilt mark conditional (if/when) clauses in ASL, similar to the marker used for yes/no questions.
Question 4: What is the function of the 'th' mouth morpheme in ASL?
- To indicate carelessness or something done sloppily (Correct answer)
- To show extreme emotion
- To mark a grammatical question
- To emphasize a positive statement
Correct answer: To indicate carelessness or something done sloppily
The 'th' mouth morpheme (tongue slightly between teeth) indicates something done carelessly, sloppily, or without proper attention or skill.
Question 5: How does body shift function as a non-manual marker in ASL?
- It has no linguistic meaning
- It indicates the signer's emotional state
- It marks role shifts and different character perspectives in a narrative (Correct answer)
- It signals the signer is pausing to think
Correct answer: It marks role shifts and different character perspectives in a narrative
Body shifts in ASL allow signers to take on different roles or perspectives in narratives, marking transitions from one character or viewpoint to another.
Question 6: What does the 'oo' mouth morpheme (pursed, rounded lips) typically indicate in ASL?
- Something very large
- Surprise or shock
- Something small, careful, or done with precision (Correct answer)
- A direct command
Correct answer: Something small, careful, or done with precision
The 'oo' mouth morpheme indicates something small, delicate, or performed carefully and with precision.
Question 7: In ASL storytelling, what non-manual feature helps distinguish the narrator's voice from a character's voice?
- The speed of signing alone
- Eye gaze direction and body orientation (Correct answer)
- The size of handshapes used
- Whether one or two hands are used
Correct answer: Eye gaze direction and body orientation
Eye gaze direction and body orientation help distinguish the narrator's perspective from characters' perspectives, with body shifts marking transitions between roles.
Sign Language Facial Expressions and Non-Manual Markers 2
In ASL, what grammatical function does a head nod typically serve during signing?