Silent Stories: The Vibrant History of Sign Languages

Which of these sign languages is known for having its own grammar system separate from the spoken language of its country?

British Sign Language (BSL)

American Sign Language (ASL)

Japanese Sign Language (JSL)

All of the above

All these sign languages have their own unique grammar systems, distinct from the spoken languages of their respective countries.

What sign language was Martha’s Vineyard known for?

Martha’s Vineyard English

Old Kentish Signs

Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language

American Sign Language

Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language was a unique sign language developed and used on the island of Martha’s Vineyard until the 20th century, known for its widespread use among both deaf and hearing residents.

Which country uses New Zealand Sign Language?

Australia

England

New Zealand

Canada

New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is the main language of the deaf community in New Zealand and is recognized as an official language of the country.

Which of these countries developed its own indigenous sign language?

Canada

Brazil

Japan

All of the above

Each listed country has developed its own indigenous sign language, reflecting the unique linguistic communities in each region.

Which sign language uses a one-handed manual alphabet?

American Sign Language

British Sign Language

Japanese Sign Language

Russian Sign Language

British Sign Language (BSL) uses a one-handed manual alphabet, contrasting with American Sign Language, which uses a two-handed manual alphabet.

What significant event in the history of sign language took place in Milan in 1880?

The first deaf school opened

The first international deaf conference

A ban on sign language in education

The standardization of sign language

In 1880, the Milan Conference saw educators vote to ban sign language from deaf education, favoring oralism, which significantly affected deaf education for many years.

Where is Indo-Pakistani Sign Language primarily used?

India and Pakistan

India and Bangladesh

Pakistan and Iran

Nepal and India

Indo-Pakistani Sign Language is primarily used by deaf communities in India and Pakistan, serving as a unifying form of communication across diverse linguistic regions.

What sign language is predominant in Spain?

Spanish Sign Language

Catalan Sign Language

Basque Sign Language

European Sign Language

Spanish Sign Language (LSE) is the predominant sign language used by the deaf community in Spain.

When was British Sign Language officially recognized?

1970

1987

2003

2010

British Sign Language (BSL) was officially recognized by the UK government in 2003, acknowledging its importance in communication for deaf individuals.

What is unique about Nicaraguan Sign Language?

It’s taught in schools

It emerged in the 1970s

It’s based on French Sign Language

It uses only one hand

Nicaraguan Sign Language is unique because it emerged spontaneously among deaf children in Nicaragua in the 1970s, showcasing the natural evolution of language.

In which century did the first recorded sign language emerge?

9th century

12th century

16th century

17th century

The first recorded sign language dates back to the 17th century, with historical documentation indicating the use of signs by deaf communities.

Which sign language heavily influenced American Sign Language?

British Sign Language (BSL)

French Sign Language (LSF)

Spanish Sign Language

German Sign Language

French Sign Language (LSF) heavily influenced American Sign Language due to Laurent Clerc, a deaf educator from France, who co-founded the first deaf school in America.

Which university was the first to offer a degree in Sign Language?

University of Rochester

Gallaudet University

Stanford University

Harvard University

Gallaudet University, a premier institution for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing, was the first to offer a degree in Sign Language.

What distinguishes Proto-Tactile American Sign Language?

Developed for tactile users

Based on French Sign Language

Used primarily by children

Has no formal structure

Proto-Tactile American Sign Language was developed specifically for tactile users, particularly those who are deaf-blind, to facilitate communication through touch.

Which country’s sign language is known for its use of classifiers?

British Sign Language (BSL)

American Sign Language (ASL)

Australian Sign Language (Auslan)

Russian Sign Language

American Sign Language (ASL) is well known for its use of classifiers, which are handshapes that represent categories of objects and their movement.

Who is considered the father of French Sign Language?

Laurent Clerc

Charles-Michel de l’Épée

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet

Pedro Ponce de Leon

Charles-Michel de l’Épée is considered the father of French Sign Language and was a pioneering educator of the deaf in the 18th century.

What year was American Sign Language (ASL) recognized as a true language?

1960

1972

1988

1990

ASL was recognized as a true language by linguist William Stokoe in 1960, marking a significant shift in understanding and acceptance of sign languages.

Which event significantly impacted sign language use in the US?

World War II

The Deaf President Now protest

Milan Conference of 1880

Sign Language Act of 1965

The Deaf President Now protest in 1988 was a pivotal event in the United States that led to the appointment of the first deaf president of Gallaudet University and heightened awareness and acceptance of sign language.

What is the origin of Auslan (Australian Sign Language)?

Derived from British Sign Language

Developed independently in Australia

Influenced by American Sign Language

Based on Indigenous Australian signs

Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is derived from British Sign Language, due to the historical influence of British settlers in Australia.

What innovative method did Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet use in education?

Oralism

Manualism

Cued Speech

Bilingual-bicultural approach

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was an advocate of manualism, using sign language as the primary method of teaching deaf students, which contrasted with the oralism approach that emphasized speech and lip-reading.