A matched guise study of Quebec sign language and ASL

Rob Hoopes

Fri. 4:25-5:40 C

Studies of spoken languages have described the linguistic and socio-linguistics outcomes of bilingualism and second language learning. Differences on all linguistic levels--phonological, morphological, lexical, and pragmatic--between the speech exhibited by a monolingual and the speech exhibited by a bilingual in his second or non-dominant language have been identified. These cross-linguistic differences appear to be the transference of features of the dominant language to the non-dominant language. The cross-linguistic differences exhibited by bilinguals and second language learners may give rise to language attitudes by native speakers. Specifically, to the extent a native speaker of the target language notices variation, the native speaker may form subjective judgments about the language user based on these variations.

To date, whether these phenomena occur in signed languages has remained largely unresearched. This study examines the production of American Sign Language (ASL) by deaf individuals whose native sign language is Quebec Sign Language (LSQ), and the perception of this production by deaf, native ASL signers. The study was designed to determine whether the foreign singers from Quebec exhibit cross-linguistic differences when signing ASL and, if so, what linguistic levels are affected. In addition, the study explores how deaf, native ASL signers recognize these differences, and what kinds of attitudes, if any, native ASL signers manifest toward "LSQ-accented" ASL and its users.

To explore these questions, a modified matched guise approach was used. Specifically five native LSQ users were videotaped narrating the same story. The videotaped narrations were then presented to eight deaf, native ASL users (judges). Prior to viewing the videotape, half of the judges were informed that the subjects were native LSQ signers from Quebec; the other judges were told nothing. After viewing the videotaped narratives of all five Quebec signers, each judge was interviewed. Each judge was asked whether the subject exhibited native-like ASL sign. If not, the judge was instructed to view the videotape again and point out any non-native like differences they perceived.

The findings suggest that, as in spoken languages, multilevel interferences from a native sign language may manifest in an individual's second or non-dominant sign language. Moreover, native signers of the target language can identity these multilevel variations. However, despite the ability of the native ASL judges in this study to identify cross-linguistic variation in the ASL production of native LSQ users, they were unable to identify the language/cultural background of the native LSQ users.