Linguistics

Question 1

What does BSL stand for?

Answer 1

British Sign Language

Question 2

True or False: BSL is a spoken language.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

What is the primary modality of BSL?

Answer 3

Visual-gestural

Question 4

Fill in the blank: BSL has its own ______, which includes grammar and syntax.

Answer 4

Linguistic structure

Question 5

What is the main difference between BSL and Signed English?

Answer 5

BSL is a distinct language with its own grammar, while Signed English is a representation of spoken English.

Question 6

How many signers are estimated to use BSL in the UK?

Answer 6

Approximately 151,000

Question 7

True or False: BSL is used exclusively in the United Kingdom.

Answer 7

False

Question 8

What are the primary components of BSL?

Answer 8

Hand shapes, movements, facial expressions, and body language

Question 9

What year was BSL officially recognized as a language?

Answer 9

2003

Question 10

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a feature of BSL?

Answer 10

Tone of voice

Question 11

What is the significance of facial expressions in BSL?

Answer 11

They convey grammatical information and emotional context.

Question 12

Fill in the blank: The BSL sign for ‘thank you’ involves a movement from the ______ to the chin.

Answer 12

Fingers

Question 13

True or False: BSL has regional dialects.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What is a classifier in BSL?

Answer 14

A sign that represents a category of nouns, often depicting shape or movement.

Question 15

What does the term ‘deixis’ refer to in BSL?

Answer 15

The use of signs to indicate specific locations, people, or objects.

Question 16

Who developed the first BSL dictionary?

Answer 16

The British Deaf Association

Question 17

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a common BSL sign?

Answer 17

Hello

Question 18

What is the role of the signing space in BSL?

Answer 18

It is the area in front of the signer where signs are produced and meaning is conveyed.

Question 19

Fill in the blank: BSL utilizes ______ to create meaning beyond manual signs.

Answer 19

Non-manual signals

Question 20

True or False: BSL is a universal language.

Answer 20

False

Question 21

What is the term for the study of sign languages?

Answer 21

Sociolinguistics

Question 22

What does the term ‘iconicity’ refer to in BSL?

Answer 22

The resemblance between the sign and its meaning.

Question 23

What are ‘fingerspelling’ and when is it used in BSL?

Answer 23

Fingerspelling is a method of spelling out words using hand shapes, typically used for proper nouns.

Question 24

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a common misconception about BSL?

Answer 24

It is just a manual code for English.

Question 25

What are 'loan signs' in BSL?

Answer 25

Signs borrowed from other sign languages or adapted from spoken languages.

Question 26

Fill in the blank: BSL is often taught in schools for ______.

Answer 26

Deaf education

Question 27

What is the purpose of classifiers in BSL?

Answer 27

To categorize and describe objects or actions.

Question 28

True or False: BSL can express abstract concepts.

Answer 28

True

Question 29

What is the role of context in understanding BSL?

Answer 29

Context helps clarify meaning and intent behind signs.

Question 30

What is a 'signing community'?

Answer 30

A group of people who use BSL as their primary means of communication.

Question 31

Fill in the blank: BSL has been influenced by ______ from other sign languages.

Answer 31

Cultural exchanges

Question 32

What is the significance of the 'Deaf community' in BSL linguistics?

Answer 32

It shapes the language, culture, and social practices of BSL users.

Question 33

What is a 'sign language interpreter'?

Answer 33

A person who translates spoken language into sign language and vice versa.

Question 34

Multiple Choice: Which of the following factors can affect the use of BSL?

Answer 34

Geographic location

Question 35

What does the term 'register' refer to in BSL?

Answer 35

The variation in language use depending on social context or audience.

Question 36

True or False: BSL has a written form.

Answer 36

False

Question 37

What is the role of storytelling in BSL culture?

Answer 37

It preserves history, culture, and community values through visual narratives.