CH 10: Sign Language + CH 12: Language & Thought

What is sign language?

A structured, rule-governed language expressed visually using gestures, facial expressions, and body movement.

What is the difference between signed language and sign language?

• Signed language = modality (visual/manual communication)

• Sign language = a full, natural language system

Are sign languages universal?

No—different countries have different sign languages (e.g., ASL vs BSL).

What is homesign?

A self-created communication system used within a family.

What is a village sign language?

A shared sign system used within a local community.

Why is Nicaraguan Sign Language important?

It shows how children can spontaneously create a fully structured language.

How does brain damage affect sign language users?

Damage to language areas impairs signing just like speech.

What does this reveal about language?

Language is processed similarly regardless of modality (spoken vs signed).

Do signed and spoken languages share syntax?

Yes, both have grammar and structure.

What is signing space?

The physical area (face/chest region) where signs are produced.

What are the three key components of signs?

• Handshape

• Location

• Movement

How does changing one component affect meaning?

It can completely change the sign’s meaning.

What are nonmanual markers?

Facial expressions and body movements that add meaning.

What is visual prosody?

Using facial expressions to convey tone and emphasis.

What is manual babbling?

Early hand movements in infants learning sign language.

Why might deaf babies develop this earlier?

Better motor control of hands than speech organs.

What is code blending?

Using signed and spoken language simultaneously.

What is the difference between unimodal vs bimodal bilingualism?

• Unimodal: same modality (e.g., two spoken languages)

• Bimodal: different modalities (signed + spoken)

What is speechreading?

Understanding speech by watching lip movements.

What is a cochlear implant?

A device that converts sound into electrical signals for hearing.

Why can reading be more difficult for deaf individuals?

Reduced phonological awareness.

What is fingerspelling?

Representing letters using hand signs.

What is vertical transmission?

Learning language from family.

What is horizontal transmission?

Learning language from peers.

What is the medical model of deafness?

Views deafness as a disability to fix.

What is the cultural model?

Views deafness as an identity, not a deficit.

What question does linguistic relativity address?

Does language influence how we think?

Who proposed linguistic relativity?

Benjamin Whorf

What is the Whorfian hypothesis?

Language influences thought and perception.

What is linguistic determinism?

Language completely determines thought.

What is innatism?

Language does not shape thought; it is just a tool for communication.

How do gendered languages affect memory?

Words matching gender associations are remembered more easily.

What is a paired associate task?

Learning word pairs to test memory associations.

Is colour perception continuous or categorical?

Physically continuous, but mentally categorized.

What are focal colours?

Central, most representative examples of colour categories.

What does the Munsell Colour Chart show?

A systematic organization of colour perception.

What is an example of linguistic influence on colour?

Some languages group blue and green into one category (“grue”).

Are basic emotions universal?

Yes (e.g., happiness, fear, anger).

What is a Duchenne smile?

A genuine smile involving eye muscles.

What are microexpressions?

Brief, involuntary emotional expressions.

What is arousal?

Intensity of emotion.

What is valence?

Whether emotion is positive or negative.

How does emotion affect the Stroop task?

Emotional words take longer to process.

Why do taboo words trigger strong reactions?

They activate emotional and physiological responses.

What is skin conductance response?

Measure of physiological arousal (stress).

How do native vs second language speakers respond to taboo words?

Stronger emotional response in native language.

What does sign language reveal about the nature of language?

Language is modality-independent and relies on shared cognitive systems.

How does linguistic relativity differ from determinism?

• Relativity: language influences thought

• Determinism: language controls thought completely

How does language shape perception without fully determining it?

It biases categorization (e.g., colour, gender) but does not limit perception itself.

Why are emotional words processed differently than neutral words?

They activate emotional systems, increasing cognitive load.