Question

📘 ASL 1 Study Review: Open-Ended Questions
🧠 Deaf Culture & History – Review Prompts
Who was Dummy Hoy and how did his career in baseball impact communication practices in sports and Deaf visibility in society?


Why is Gallaudet University considered more than just a college by many members of the Deaf community? What role has it played in cultural and political identity?


Explain how the partnership between Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc helped shape Deaf education in America. What influence did French Sign Language have on ASL?


What are name signs in Deaf culture, and why is it important that they are assigned by others rather than chosen by the individual?


What is Plains Indian Sign Language (PISL), and what does its existence reveal about the natural development of visual languages across cultures?


Describe the Milan Conference of 1880. What decisions were made there, and how did they affect generations of Deaf students around the world?


What happened during the Deaf President Now (DPN) protest at Gallaudet in 1988? Why is it considered a turning point in Deaf civil rights?


In what ways does ASL function as more than just a language? How is it tied to identity, culture, and worldview in the Deaf community?


How has modern technology—such as video phones, captioning, and social media—positively impacted the Deaf community? Give at least two examples.



✍️ ASL Grammar & Parameters – Review Prompts
List and explain the Five Parameters of ASL. How can changing just one of them affect the meaning of a sign?


How is ASL sentence structure different from English? Provide an example of a sentence using Time-Topic-Comment structure.


What are non-manual markers (NMMs), and how do they help communicate grammar in ASL? Provide examples for yes/no questions, WH-questions, and negation.


What are classifiers in ASL? Give two examples of classifiers and explain what they represent.


How is ASL grammar different from English grammar in terms of verbs, spatial grammar, and word order? Why can’t ASL be translated word-for-word from English?

Answers

Answered by GPT-4o mini
## Deaf Culture & History Review Prompts

### Who was Dummy Hoy and how did his career in baseball impact communication practices in sports and Deaf visibility in society?
Dummy Hoy was an influential Deaf baseball player in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, playing in Major League Baseball from 1888 to 1902. He is credited with popularizing hand signals in baseball for balls and strikes, which improved communication between players and umpires, especially in a time when writing systems were not yet prevalent in sports. Hoy's visibility as a Deaf athlete helped challenge stereotypes about Deaf individuals, demonstrating their capabilities and contributions to society.

### Why is Gallaudet University considered more than just a college by many members of the Deaf community? What role has it played in cultural and political identity?
Gallaudet University is often viewed as a cultural and political hub for the Deaf community. Founded in 1864, it holds historical significance as the first university for Deaf individuals. Gallaudet serves not only as an educational institution but also as a center for advocacy and cultural pride. It plays a crucial role in maintaining Deaf culture, promoting American Sign Language (ASL), and fostering a sense of community, identity, and empowerment among Deaf individuals.

### Explain how the partnership between Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc helped shape Deaf education in America. What influence did French Sign Language have on ASL?
Thomas Gallaudet was instrumental in establishing Deaf education in the U.S., and his collaboration with Laurent Clerc, a Deaf educator from France, was pivotal. Clerc brought French Sign Language (LSF) to America, which, when combined with local signs and gestures, laid the foundation for American Sign Language (ASL). Their partnership led to the establishment of the first Deaf school in the U.S. (the American School for the Deaf), promoting formal education for Deaf children and influencing Deaf educational practices.

### What are name signs in Deaf culture, and why is it important that they are assigned by others rather than chosen by the individual?
Name signs are unique signs assigned to individuals within the Deaf community that may reflect their personality, attributes, or interests. They are significant as they serve as a form of identification and belonging within the community. The fact that name signs are assigned by others, rather than chosen, underscores the value of social relationships, respect, and recognition within Deaf culture, as they foster connections and help integrate individuals into the social fabric.

### What is Plains Indian Sign Language (PISL), and what does its existence reveal about the natural development of visual languages across cultures?
Plains Indian Sign Language (PISL) is a form of sign language used by various Native American tribes for communication across different spoken languages. Its existence illustrates how visual languages naturally develop as a means of effective communication in communities with diverse linguistic backgrounds. PISL reveals the adaptability and resourcefulness of communities in creating functional communication methods, highlighting a universal human tendency to develop sign systems.

### Describe the Milan Conference of 1880. What decisions were made there, and how did they affect generations of Deaf students around the world?
The Milan Conference of 1880 was an international gathering of educators that resulted in a resolution favoring oralism over sign language in Deaf education. The conference encouraged teaching Deaf students through spoken language and discouraged the use of sign language in classrooms. This decision led to a significant decline in the use of sign language in education for many years, adversely affecting generations of Deaf students by limiting their communication options and cultural identity.

### What happened during the Deaf President Now (DPN) protest at Gallaudet in 1988? Why is it considered a turning point in Deaf civil rights?
The Deaf President Now (DPN) protest occurred when the Gallaudet community rallied for a Deaf president after the appointment of a hearing president, despite the majority of the student body and faculty being Deaf. The protest, characterized by strong activism and media attention, resulted in the appointment of I. King Jordan as the first Deaf president of Gallaudet. This event is considered a turning point for Deaf civil rights as it inspired advocacy for Deaf leadership, recognition of Deaf culture, and empowerment within the Deaf community.

### In what ways does ASL function as more than just a language? How is it tied to identity, culture, and worldview in the Deaf community?
ASL functions not only as a means of communication but as a significant aspect of Deaf identity, culture, and worldview. It reflects the experiences, values, and social norms of the Deaf community. ASL encapsulates shared cultural narratives and fosters connections among Deaf individuals, emphasizing visual and spatial awareness. It shapes the way Deaf individuals perceive and interact with the world, making it a vital element of their cultural identity.

### How has modern technology—such as video phones, captioning, and social media—positively impacted the Deaf community? Give at least two examples.
Modern technology has increased accessibility and connectivity for the Deaf community. Video phones, for example, enable real-time video communication using ASL, allowing for more natural conversations. Similarly, captioning on television and online videos makes content accessible, empowering Deaf individuals to engage with media. Social media platforms have also transformed how Deaf individuals connect, share experiences, and advocate for their rights, fostering a sense of community and activism.

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## ASL Grammar & Parameters Review Prompts

### List and explain the Five Parameters of ASL. How can changing just one of them affect the meaning of a sign?
The Five Parameters of ASL are:

1. **Handshape**: The specific configuration of the fingers and palm when making a sign. Changing the handshape can create a different sign with a different meaning.

2. **Location**: The place on the body or in the signing space where the sign is produced. Altering the location can give the same sign different meanings, depending on context.

3. **Movement**: The motion made while signing, including direction and speed. Changing the movement can affect the sign's meaning or context.

4. **Palm Orientation**: The direction the palm faces during signing. Modifying palm orientation can change the meaning of a sign or make it grammatically correct.

5. **Non-manual Indicators (NMI)**: The use of facial expressions and body language that accompany signs. Adjusting NMI can change the tone or grammatical structure of the signing.

Changing just one of these parameters can significantly alter the meaning of a sign, highlighting the complexity and richness of ASL.

### How is ASL sentence structure different from English? Provide an example of a sentence using the Time-Topic-Comment structure.
ASL utilizes a different sentence structure than English, often following the Time-Topic-Comment format. For example:
- English: "I will go to the store tomorrow."
- ASL: "Tomorrow STORE I GO." (Time: tomorrow, Topic: store, Comment: I go.)

### What are non-manual markers (NMMs), and how do they help communicate grammar in ASL? Provide examples for yes/no questions, WH-questions, and negation.
Non-manual markers (NMMs) are facial expressions, head movements, and body language that accompany signs to convey grammatical information.
- **Yes/No Questions**: Raised eyebrows and leaning slightly forward indicate a yes/no question (e.g., "Are you going?").
- **WH-Questions**: Furrowed brows and leaning slightly forward signal a WH-question (e.g., "What are you doing?").
- **Negation**: Shaking the head in conjunction with relevant signs indicates negation (e.g., "No, I do not want it.").

NMMs are crucial for indicating question types, negation, and emphasis, effectively shaping the meaning of the signed message.

### What are classifiers in ASL? Give two examples of classifiers and explain what they represent.
Classifiers in ASL are handshapes that represent a category of nouns and can show the size, shape, and movement of those nouns.

1. **CL: B (flat hand)**: Represents flat surfaces or objects such as a book or a wall. It can show the location or movement of the object.

2. **CL: 1 (index finger)**: Represents people or thin objects, allowing for spatial representation of their movements or interactions.

Classifiers enhance the expressiveness and detail of communication in ASL, providing context that may not be captured by traditional nouns alone.

### How is ASL grammar different from English grammar in terms of verbs, spatial grammar, and word order? Why can’t ASL be translated word-for-word from English?
ASL grammar differs from English grammar in several ways:

- **Verbs**: ASL verbs can convey aspects such as time, direction, and the subject-object relationship through movement and facial expressions, without relying on auxiliary verbs like in English.

- **Spatial Grammar**: ASL utilizes space to represent subjects, objects, and locations, allowing for more complex relationships between elements in a sentence.

- **Word Order**: ASL often follows a different word order (e.g., Time-Topic-Comment instead of Subject-Verb-Object), which affects sentence structure.

Due to these differences, ASL cannot be translated word-for-word into English. The grammar, context, and cultural nuances embedded in ASL require an understanding of its unique language structure, making direct translations inaccurate or incomplete.
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