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Sign of the Times Trivia Quiz

As I studied British Sign Language and Deaf Culture for two years, I thought I'd introduce you to the basics.

A multiple-choice quiz by MissCirrus. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
MissCirrus

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
377,402

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
161

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. It is not known exactly how many Deaf signers use British Sign Language as their first language, but it is estimated to be:

Hint

5,000 to 10,000

50,000 to 95,000

12,000 to 20,000

Over 100,000

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Question 2 of 10

2. In the early 1800s, signing was banned from schools for the Deaf, and parents were advised by well-meaning doctors to discourage their children from using this method of communication. Why was this?

Hint

It looked strange and drew attention to their disability

They thought it might be detrimental to their speech and lipreading skills

They wanted BSL to be kept secret

To prevent children talking about them behind their backs

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Question 3 of 10

3. British Sign Language (BSL) was finally recognised by the British Government as being a full, independent language in what year? Hint

2015

1985

2003

1976

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Question 4 of 10

4. Users of sign language use their fingers to represent the letters of the alphabet. This is particularly useful when spelling out names of people and places for which there is not a sign. What is this method called? Hint

Digitising

Fingerspelling

Handspelling

Pointabet

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Question 5 of 10

5. Beginners usually find that, when it comes to BSL fingerspelling, learning the vowels is the easiest part. Why is this? Hint

A-E-I-O-U are located on the fingertips of the active hand

A-E-I-O-U are not used in BSL

A-E-I-O-U are located on the fingertips of either hand

A-E-I-O-U are located on the fingertips of the passive hand

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Question 6 of 10

6. The grammar used in sign language is not the same as the grammar used in spoken English. In what order do you think I would sign the statement, 'I bought a puppy last week'? Hint

Last week I bought puppy

Puppy I bought last week

Bought puppy last week I

Week bought I puppy last

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Question 7 of 10

7. Most hearing people are taught from an early age what constitutes socially acceptable behaviour. However, one of these no-nos is acceptable, in fact essential, for Deaf people. Which one? Hint

Interrupting conversations

Breaking wind at the table

Turning one's back to people

Pointing at people

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Question 8 of 10

8. British Sign Language has its own grammar which uses facial expressions and hand shapes to convey meaning. What other methods are employed to aid communication when signing? Hint

Standing behind the Deaf person

Shouting and repeating oneself

Lipreading and body language

Drawing pictures

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Question 9 of 10

9. In 2016, the BBC's long-running series for Deaf people was awarded a Special Recognition Award to celebrate the show's 35 years on air. What is the title of this ground-breaking programme? Hint

See Hear

Signpost

Hearsay

Signage

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Question 10 of 10

10. The more observant amongst you will have noticed the use of the capital 'D' in the word Deaf. Why have I done this? Hint

All of these reasons

To make the word stand out

It refers to the Deaf community

It's a grammatical mistake

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. It is not known exactly how many Deaf signers use British Sign Language as their first language, but it is estimated to be:

Answer: Over 100,000

At least 140,000 people use BSL as their first language, with several more thousands using it as their second or third language. Many hearing people also know some BSL - they might have Deaf friends or family, or be learning it in school or college. Recent figures from the British Deaf Association suggest that on any day, up to 250,000 people use some BSL during conversation.

Answer: They thought it might be detrimental to their speech and lipreading skills

The signing method of communication was largely considered to be nothing more than nonsensical pantomimes and random gestures. However, in 1890, The British Deaf and Dumb Association (now The British Deaf Association) was founded, leading to sign language becoming a more credible method of communication.

3. British Sign Language (BSL) was finally recognised by the British Government as being a full, independent language in what year?

Answer: 2003

This recognition was an important victory for BSL and its Deaf users. It meant that money could be invested in the promotion of Deaf rights and training more BSL tutors and BSL-English interpreters. Another landmark came in 2009 when the UK signed the UN Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which put sign language on a par with spoken languages.

Answer: Fingerspelling

Also called 'dactylology', BSL fingerspelling is relatively easy to master and is used with both hands - the active hand and the passive hand. If you are right-handed, then your left hand would be passive, and vice versa.

5. Beginners usually find that, when it comes to BSL fingerspelling, learning the vowels is the easiest part. Why is this?

Answer: A-E-I-O-U are located on the fingertips of the passive hand

When conversing, Deaf people do not usually look down at each other's hands but concentrate more on eyes and mouth shapes - in the majority of cases, signers will also mouth words as they're signing. Fingerspelling is read using peripheral vision.

6. The grammar used in sign language is not the same as the grammar used in spoken English. In what order do you think I would sign the statement, 'I bought a puppy last week'?

Answer: Puppy I bought last week

In English, a sentence is normally constructed using the word order: subject-verb-object. In sign language, however, the leading word/piece of information is usually the first to be signed.

7. Most hearing people are taught from an early age what constitutes socially acceptable behaviour. However, one of these no-nos is acceptable, in fact essential, for Deaf people. Which one?

Answer: Pointing at people

In sign language, the index finger is an important tool in sign language grammar as the act of pointing is used to identify people or objects and to place them in relation to the conversation.

8. British Sign Language has its own grammar which uses facial expressions and hand shapes to convey meaning. What other methods are employed to aid communication when signing?

Answer: Lipreading and body language

BSL is a physical and visual language and many people wrongly think it is simply a series of arbitrary gestures. The important thing to remember is that the grammar used in BSL is completely different to the grammar used in spoken English.

9. In 2016, the BBC's long-running series for Deaf people was awarded a Special Recognition Award to celebrate the show's 35 years on air. What is the title of this ground-breaking programme?

Answer: See Hear

'See Hear' is an immensely popular series covering a broad range of topics including education, Deaf rights, technology and language as well as other important issues affecting the Deaf community.

10. The more observant amongst you will have noticed the use of the capital 'D' in the word Deaf. Why have I done this?

Answer: It refers to the Deaf community

With a capital 'D', the word Deaf refers to the Deaf community. Just as we might use capital 'F' for French or 'P' for Polish, this capitalisation points to the person's identity as opposed to their medical condition.

Source: Author MissCirrus

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