Question
What Language Feels Like
1
Language is a system of communication that relies on verbal and non-verbal sharing of information. Language and communication, for those who are visually or hearing impaired, or both, takes an alternate form: Braille, fingerspelling, and sign language.
2
Braille is a form of written language. Letters are represented by patterns of raised dots that are felt with the fingertips. It is a tactile representation of a visual writing system. Braille is used for the visually impaired and blind to read certain signs and words. Braille is not a language in and of itself. It is simply English coded with the rules of combining letters to form words.
Figure 1
3
Braille was invented by a nineteenth-century man named Louis Braille, who was completely blind. His original code consisted of six dots arranged in two parallel rows. Each set of rows represented a letter. His system allowed for up to 64 variations, enough for all the letters of the alphabet and punctuation. It was also easily adapted to languages. Most importantly, rather than needing to trace out a whole letter, it was much easier to feel the configuration of dots, making reading significantly faster and easier.
4
Fingerspelling is a manual representation of a visual writing system. As with other forms of manual communication, fingerspelling can be comprehended visually or tactually. The simplest visual form of fingerspelling is tracing the shape of letters in the air, or tactually, tracing letters on the hand. Fingerspelling is easy to learn. It uses the sign language alphabet to spell out each word.
Figure 2
5
Sign language is a form of visual language that uses hand gestures and body language to convey meaning. Sign language is expressed by movements of the hands and face. It is the primary language of many who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is also used by many hearing people as well. Rather than spell out each word, sign language uses visual gestures to represent words.
Figure 3
6 There are different languages, both verbal and nonverbal, used around the world. They have all come about because of the necessity for language, communication, and education.
Meeting Helen
Diary entry, March 2, 1887
She understands a great deal of what is going on around her. She’s angry and has fits of tantrums, screaming and kicking to get what she wants. Helen plays pranks, locking doors and refusing to divulge the whereabouts of the keys. Her outbursts are worsening, and the family needs your help. I have secured a job for you as governess. You will be leaving on the morning train to Tuscumbia, Alabama, to work for the Keller family.
Signed,
Michael Anagnos
Director, Perkins School for the Blind
1 What an introduction! How am I, Anne Sullivan, to tame a child so wild, one who can neither hear nor see? It is a good thing that I am just like her. I know the rage of being blind in a world that does not understand me. “You are hottempered like your father,” I remember our neighbors said. I would lash out in terrible fits of tantrums. I like to think that I was just strong-willed, like this child I will meet in just a few hours.
2 It is at this time that my own words from my graduation speech ring loudly in my ears: “Duty bids us go forth into active life. Let us go cheerfully, hopefully, and earnestly, and set ourselves to find our special part.” Never have my words ever been more true.
3 It is truly my great fortune to have befriended Laura Bridgman, my dear friend at Perkins. Laura’s patience in teaching me finger spellings will be the key to unlocking the child’s language. I look now at the doll beside me. I dared not pack it away in my trunk. I am bringing it as a gift to Helen. That will be the first word I teach her.
Question
Directions: Read "What Language Feels Like" and "Meeting Helen" and choose the two best answers.
Based on "What Language Feels Like," why did Anne Sullivan choose fingerspelling to teach Helen her first word?
Responses
Fingerspelling can be visual or tactile.
Fingerspelling can be visual or tactile.
Fingerspelling is the easiest communication for children to understand.
Fingerspelling is the easiest communication for children to understand.
The word "doll" only has four letters.
The word "doll" only has four letters.
Braille had not yet been invented when Anne met Helen.
Braille had not yet been invented when Anne met Helen.
Skip to navigation
1
Language is a system of communication that relies on verbal and non-verbal sharing of information. Language and communication, for those who are visually or hearing impaired, or both, takes an alternate form: Braille, fingerspelling, and sign language.
2
Braille is a form of written language. Letters are represented by patterns of raised dots that are felt with the fingertips. It is a tactile representation of a visual writing system. Braille is used for the visually impaired and blind to read certain signs and words. Braille is not a language in and of itself. It is simply English coded with the rules of combining letters to form words.
Figure 1
3
Braille was invented by a nineteenth-century man named Louis Braille, who was completely blind. His original code consisted of six dots arranged in two parallel rows. Each set of rows represented a letter. His system allowed for up to 64 variations, enough for all the letters of the alphabet and punctuation. It was also easily adapted to languages. Most importantly, rather than needing to trace out a whole letter, it was much easier to feel the configuration of dots, making reading significantly faster and easier.
4
Fingerspelling is a manual representation of a visual writing system. As with other forms of manual communication, fingerspelling can be comprehended visually or tactually. The simplest visual form of fingerspelling is tracing the shape of letters in the air, or tactually, tracing letters on the hand. Fingerspelling is easy to learn. It uses the sign language alphabet to spell out each word.
Figure 2
5
Sign language is a form of visual language that uses hand gestures and body language to convey meaning. Sign language is expressed by movements of the hands and face. It is the primary language of many who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is also used by many hearing people as well. Rather than spell out each word, sign language uses visual gestures to represent words.
Figure 3
6 There are different languages, both verbal and nonverbal, used around the world. They have all come about because of the necessity for language, communication, and education.
Meeting Helen
Diary entry, March 2, 1887
She understands a great deal of what is going on around her. She’s angry and has fits of tantrums, screaming and kicking to get what she wants. Helen plays pranks, locking doors and refusing to divulge the whereabouts of the keys. Her outbursts are worsening, and the family needs your help. I have secured a job for you as governess. You will be leaving on the morning train to Tuscumbia, Alabama, to work for the Keller family.
Signed,
Michael Anagnos
Director, Perkins School for the Blind
1 What an introduction! How am I, Anne Sullivan, to tame a child so wild, one who can neither hear nor see? It is a good thing that I am just like her. I know the rage of being blind in a world that does not understand me. “You are hottempered like your father,” I remember our neighbors said. I would lash out in terrible fits of tantrums. I like to think that I was just strong-willed, like this child I will meet in just a few hours.
2 It is at this time that my own words from my graduation speech ring loudly in my ears: “Duty bids us go forth into active life. Let us go cheerfully, hopefully, and earnestly, and set ourselves to find our special part.” Never have my words ever been more true.
3 It is truly my great fortune to have befriended Laura Bridgman, my dear friend at Perkins. Laura’s patience in teaching me finger spellings will be the key to unlocking the child’s language. I look now at the doll beside me. I dared not pack it away in my trunk. I am bringing it as a gift to Helen. That will be the first word I teach her.
Question
Directions: Read "What Language Feels Like" and "Meeting Helen" and choose the two best answers.
Based on "What Language Feels Like," why did Anne Sullivan choose fingerspelling to teach Helen her first word?
Responses
Fingerspelling can be visual or tactile.
Fingerspelling can be visual or tactile.
Fingerspelling is the easiest communication for children to understand.
Fingerspelling is the easiest communication for children to understand.
The word "doll" only has four letters.
The word "doll" only has four letters.
Braille had not yet been invented when Anne met Helen.
Braille had not yet been invented when Anne met Helen.
Skip to navigation
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Based on "What Language Feels Like," the two best answers for why Anne Sullivan chose fingerspelling to teach Helen her first word are:
1. **Fingerspelling can be visual or tactile.**
This aligns with the description of fingerspelling as a manual representation of a visual writing system, and it emphasizes that it can be comprehended through both sight and touch, making it suitable for Helen's unique needs.
2. **Fingerspelling is the easiest communication for children to understand.**
This option reflects the accessibility of fingerspelling as a method for children to learn language. It suggests that fingerspelling may be a simple and effective first step in teaching language after Helen has experienced a lack of communication.
The other options do not provide compelling reasons related to the context of teaching Helen.
1. **Fingerspelling can be visual or tactile.**
This aligns with the description of fingerspelling as a manual representation of a visual writing system, and it emphasizes that it can be comprehended through both sight and touch, making it suitable for Helen's unique needs.
2. **Fingerspelling is the easiest communication for children to understand.**
This option reflects the accessibility of fingerspelling as a method for children to learn language. It suggests that fingerspelling may be a simple and effective first step in teaching language after Helen has experienced a lack of communication.
The other options do not provide compelling reasons related to the context of teaching Helen.