Unit 2: Sign Language - Dialect, Lexicon, Grammar, Pragmatics & Literacy Acquisition

A set of practice flashcards covering key concepts from Unit 2 on Sign Language (SASL) including dialect, lexicon, grammar, pragmatics, literacy acquisition, and teaching practices.

What are the five core components studied in Unit 2 on Sign Language?

Dialect, lexicon, grammar, pragmatics, and literacy acquisition.

Is there a universal Sign Language?

No. There is no single universal sign language; different communities have distinct sign languages (e.g., SASL, ASL, BSL), though International Sign is used informally at international events.

What is International Sign Language (ISL)?

An international form used across Deaf communities, not a fully universal language; differs from national Sign Languages.

What is SASL?

South African Sign Language; the language of the South African Deaf community with its own grammar and lexicon.

What do 'Deaf' (capital D) and 'deaf' (lowercase d) refer to?

Capital D Deaf refers to Deaf culture and community; lowercase deaf refers to the population with hearing loss and/or disability.

Name some types of manual/gestural communication mentioned.

SASL, ASL, BSL, Signed Exact English, Signed (Sign) language, Tactile Signing, Key Word Signing (KWS).

What is Signed Exact English?

A signing system that follows exact syntactic and grammatical rules of English.

What is Key Word Signing (KWS)?

Representing only the most important words in a sentence with signs; word order follows spoken language grammar; used for certain populations.

Two conditions must be met for movement to be a sign.

1) Movement is with the hands (and may include non-manual features); 2) The sign has a clearly described, conventional meaning.

What is iconicity in sign language?

Signs vary in iconicity from highly iconic to arbitrary; iconicity can be culturally bound and may change over time.

Define 'frozen lexicon' vs. 'productive lexicon' in sign language.

Frozen lexicon: signs with fixed form and meaning. Productive lexicon: signs created using the five parameters with additional modifications.

List the five main parameters of a sign (plus an important extra).

Handshape, Movement, Place/Location, Orientation, Direction; Non-manual features (facial expressions, head/eye cues) are also crucial.

What is the 'Signing Area' in SASL?

An imaginary rectangle in front of the body (from head to waist, shoulder to shoulder) where signs are produced to stay within peripheral vision.

What are non-manual features?

Head position, eyebrows, eye gaze, blinks, and mouth positions that convey important linguistic information.

What is the 'topic-comment' structure in SASL?

Sign languages use a topic-comment structure where the topic is what the comment is about; the topic is not necessarily the grammatical subject.

What is 'topicalization' in SASL?

Placing the topic at the beginning of a sentence using specific signing order and facial/head cues (e.g., raise eyebrows on the topic sign).

What does 'word order with verbs' refer to in SASL?

A signing approach where the verb is integrated with the topic, often involving time-topic-comment structuring and flexible object use.

What are WH-Question markers in SASL?

Markers used to form questions (who, what, where, when, why, how); typically appear with non-manual markers and at the final position of the sentence.

How are imperatives marked in SASL?

Commands/requests are marked with non-manual markers (eye contact, head movements); may include markers like 'Please' or 'Must' in final position depending on context.

What is pro-drop (pronoun dropping) in SASL?

Index pronouns can be dropped after introduction if the referent is present or localized in signing space; pronouns are introduced initially.

What is a one-handed vs two-handed sign?

One-handed signs use the dominant hand; two-handed signs use both hands with different/identical shapes; examples include 'dog' (one-handed) vs 'grandmother' (two-handed).

How does sign language relate to literacy development?

Well-developed signing skills are strong predictors of better reading and literacy; sign language supports and can facilitate literacy development.

What is SLED and why is it useful?

Sign Language Education (SLED) resources in SA, including dictionaries and training tools, used to support teaching SASL.

What starting strategies are recommended for teaching SASL?

Decide on startup vocabulary (needs, wants, info sharing, social etiquette); involve family; sign consistently; use a dictionary; start in functional contexts; use iconic/transparent signs.

What are some early literacy goals for children learning to read and write (Phase 1)?

Understand that print carries a message; begin reading/writing attempts; identify labels/signs in environment; use known letters or approximations of letters.

What is the role of early language exposure in literacy development for Deaf children?

Early exposure to any language supports literacy development; sign language provides a foundation for vocabulary, concepts, and later literacy.

What cultural significance does SASL have for the Deaf community?

SASL is a core part of Deaf cultural identity; Deaf individuals often prefer to be recognized as linguistically/culturally Deaf rather than disabled.

What resources can be used to support SASL learning and literacy?

Resources such as SLED (Sign Language Education), Sign Language Dictionaries, Talking to the Deaf (CAAC), TinyHandz, and SASL-specific courses.

What is the importance of fingerspelling in SASL literacy?

Fingerspelling is used for names and for linking signed and written language, aiding decoding of unfamiliar words and linking to text.