ASL 2 Midterm Study Guide
Cardinal Numbers – Also counting numbers, while the hand shapes remain the same, different
movements and locations are used for different kinds of numbers. (i.e., age numbers, ordinal numbers,
money numbers)
Ordinal Numbers – Numbers that indicate order in a series.
The general order for describing a person using ASL:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
Gender
Height
Body Type
Hair Color
Hair Type
Other (i.e. clothing)
Money numbers have their own distinctive form. The form for money numbers under a dollar is a
combination of the sign ‘cent’ (index finger moving out from the forehead) and the number. The form
for “1 dollar” is similar to the ordinal number “first.” “1dollar” can be made with a slightly bigger
twist of the wrist and with a wider arc than the ordinal number.
ASL verbs:
Plain:


Require the signer to specify the subject and object.
Raise, Play, Want, Like, Run
Inflecting:


Allow the signer to indicate the subject and object by changing the direction of
movement of the sign.
Tell, Give, Ask, How, Help
Spatial:


Like inflecting verbs, allow the signer to change the direction of the movement of
the sign, specifically to indicate location. Like plain verbs, however, the signer must
indicate the subject and object.
Put, Send
Residual Hearing-can affect a deaf person’s ability to communicate using speech.
Interpreters for the Deaf:

Earn upwards of $30-50 per hour.

Must follow a strict code of ethics.

Can socialize with Deaf community.
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf is also known as RID.

RID was created in 1964.

Has CI (certificate of interpretation) and CT (certificate of translation)
Making a request in ASL:
Polite:

Give reason + you please for-me + request
Familiar:

Brief reason + you (please optional) for-me + request
Command:

You + command
What is the number of persons with some degree of hearing loss (ranging from hard-of hearing to
profoundly deaf) in the United States?

22-28 million
What is FRAT? Why and when was it formed? What is ADA? Why and how were deaf drivers
discriminated against? Why have insurance companies discriminated against Deaf people?
FRAT is The National Fraternal Society of the Deaf. Founded in 1898, it was formed as
a response to discriminatory life-insurance practices.
ADA is The American with Disabilities Act.
Some car dealers still refuse to allow Deaf to test-drive a new car, supposedly because they’re
risky. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. New-car dealers are
required to eliminate architectural and communication barriers, provide auxiliary aids as
needed and ensure equal access to any transportation service(s) provided to other customers.
Insurance companies consider the Deaf as high risk – more accident-prone than hearing
people – and accordingly charge them more.
When and why was NTID established?
NTID is the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. The NTID was established in
1968. It was created to help address Deaf people’s underemployment in skilled technical
trades.
Concerns Deaf people have regarding law enforcement:





911 accessibility
Clear communication with police and other law enforcement
Fair treatment by highway police and county prosecutors
Confidentiality of TTY transcripts used as evidence
Equal access as participants in courtroom proceedings
ADA is The Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA does not require all salesclerks to receive
sensitivity training. ADA generally places interpreting costs on employers or facilities.
Who are the ‘Big Three’?
Gallaudet, NTID, CSUN
How do deaf people use warning systems, doorbells, telephones, alarms? Give examples of each of
these.
Flasher systems alert users to doorbells and ringing phones by causing a dedicated electric light
or all the table lamps in a particular room or area to flash. Signaling systems can be rigged
up so that lights flash in a certain pattern for the doorbell. Each device can be connected to a
specific light or lights, so that they can flash in every room or particular rooms. They can also
use differently-colored light bulbs to indicate which device is “ringing.” Vibrotactile devices
can also be used, as well as odors used in fire alarms.
Strategies for sign language students include:

Don’t stare unless you plan to introduce yourself

Do not speak in presence of deaf without signing

Let the deaf person know you sign

Let the deaf person set the communication mode
List and define the four (4) common telephone systems in use in U.S. workplaces. Explain why each
is compatible or not compatible with a TTY.
Centex System – central line with extensions and is not compatible
Recording – frustrating due to relay and time constraints and is not compatible
Dedicated Lines and Direct Links – extremely expensive and is compatible
Tapping into Modem Lines – fax machines and internet and is compatible
I.
II.
III.
IV.
How can Deaf people’s plight be compared to the treatment of Native America Indians?



Dispossessed of Right of Citizenship
Denied access to Native Language
Forced to assimilate into majority or alien culture
What is a Deaf peddler? Explain the history of deaf peddling and the current controversy
surrounding it.
A deaf peddler sells ABC cards, key chains, trinkets and asks for donations. Peddlers often
frequent heavily trafficked areas such as airports, bus stations and restaurants. Historically,
it was once an acceptable source of income, now it is frowned upon by many. It is frowned
upon because it: perpetuates stereotypical ‘poor deaf/dumb/mute’ and many peddlers are not
really deaf and are just pretending.
Can deaf people become pilots? Who is Cal Rogers?
YES – there may not be too many of them, but the numbers are slowly and steadily
increasing.
Cal Rodgers (1879-1912) – was a well-to-do sportsman who was deafened by scarlet fever
at age 6. Rodgers became the first person to make a transcontinental solo flight.
Who were among the first deaf actors to be featured on a TV commercial?
Marlee Matlin and Audree Norton
What are signsongs – are they part of the deaf culture?
Signsongs are an artistic hybrid, borrowing the idea of choral signing from Hearing culture
and the signs (more or less) from Deaf culture. NO – signsongs are not a part of ASL
culture.
How can deaf people be more prone to AIDS and other STDs ?
 Isolation from the media
 Public health program accessibility
 Communication problems – misinformation from others
ASL 2 Midterm Vocabulary
Places:
Problems:
Size:
Parking Lot
Building
Broke
Small
Store
Basement
Not Working
Medium
Playground
Floor
Lousy
Large
Grass Area
Stairs
Hot/Cold
Across/Front
Room
Closed
Restaurant
Front/Back Door
Locked
In/Out
With/Without
Dirty
Next/To
Swimming Pool
Register
Need/Must:
Snacks:
There:
Search
Cookie
None/Nothing
Get
Coke
Not Here
Thirsty
Pepsi
Around/Approximate
Hungry
Sandwich
Don’t Know
Want
Sugar
Not True/Not Really
Chocolate
Gum
Cigarette
Smoke
Ethnicities:
Clothes:
American Indian
Blouse
Scoop Neck
Eastern Indian
Sweater
V-Neck
Spanish
Shirt
Turtle Neck
Mexican
Pants-Jeans
Long Sleeved
African America
Shorts
Short Sleeved
Caucasian
Skirt
Spaghetti Strap
Dress
Plaid
Coat
Striped
Hair:
Short
Curly
Hat
Polka-dots
Medium
Straight
Cap
Ruffles
Long
Bald (2)
Gloves
Print Zig-Zag
Belt
Tie
Shoes
Bow-tie
Socks
Face:
Long
Wide-Eyed
Boots
Round
Freckles
Sandals
Body:
Accessories:
Average
Gut
Glasses
Necklace
Pregnant
Muscular
Earrings
Ring
Tall
Thin
Watch
Bracelet
Short
Heavy
Inflecting Verbs:
Spatial Verbs:
Objects Around the Room:
Tell
Put
Shelves
Medicine
Give-You
Send
Cabinet
Blanket
Give-Me
Help
Trash
Spider
Show-You
Bring-Me
Drawer
Radio
Show-Me
Bring-You
Chair
Pillow
Ask-You
Table
Television
Ask-Me
Flower
Album-CD
Take
Newspaper
Comb
Money
Umbrella
Brush
Purse
Pipe
Match
Sleep Shoes
Slippers
Problem:
Request:
Messy
Phone Ringing
Clean
Answer Door
Bed Messy
Flower Wilting
Make Bed
Answer Phone
Dishes Dirty
Thirsty
Wash Dishes
Water
Car Dirty
Clothes Piled up
Wash Car
Bring-Me
Windows Dirty
Knock at Door
Wash Windows
Hang
Cat Hungry
Shirt Wrinkled
Feed
Iron
Dog Wants Walk
Ashtray Full
Take
Empty
Grass High
Need Send Letter
Mow
Empty-Trash
Floor Dirty
Sweep
Send
Carpet Dirty
Vacuum