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Sign Here Trivia Quiz

Having grown up with several deaf friends, American Sign Language has always been intriguing to me. Hopefully, by the end of this quiz, it will be to you too! Please note, unless otherwise specified, I am using ASL signs.

A multiple-choice quiz by NovaLuna. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
NovaLuna

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
362,571

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
218

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. You're speaking to a deaf person who reads lips. However, after you finish, they look puzzled. If they hold out one hand vertically and swipe the index finger of their other hand across the palm (top to bottom), which question are they asking? Hint

What?

Who?

Where?

When?

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Question 2 of 10

2. You want to tell your deaf friend about your new pet; if you snap your fingers and then pat your leg two or three times, what kind of animal are you telling them you have? Hint

Cat

Parakeet

Snapping Turtle

Dog

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Question 3 of 10

3. According to experts, ASL (American Sign Language) more closely resembles Japanese in syntax then it does spoken American English.

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. You and your deaf friend are talking about various modes of transportation. Your friend cups their hands together, and holding them in that position, move them down and forward a couple of times. What type of transport are they talking about now? Hint

Car/truck

Boat/ship

Plane/helicopter

Bike/skates

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Question 5 of 10

5. Congratulations - your deaf cousin has a new baby! If she makes a 'thumbs-up' and drags her thumb from ear to chin, is her new child a boy or a girl?

Answer: (One word, think old-time fashion!)

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Question 6 of 10

6. If you wanted to tell a deaf person "I love you", what three digits would be held up? Hint

Middle and ring fingers

Index and pinky fingers, along with the thumb

Index, middle and ring fingers

Thumb, ring, and pinky fingers

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. The sign for which of the following beverages comes from the stereotypical action of a specific type of addict? Hint

Water

Pepsi

Coca-Cola

Beer

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following number-letter combinations do those just learning to sign often jumble? Hint

W-3

A-1

X-10

C-100

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Just as there are many variants of spoken English, so too are there many variants of Sign Language.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. And finally, how would you sign the word 'friend'? Hint

Interlocking your index fingers

Clasping both hand together and shaking

Mimicking a hug

Just give the person a bear hug

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: What?

Many hearing people become offended if this happens; strangely enough, if they have to repeat themselves to another hearing person though, they don't!

2. You want to tell your deaf friend about your new pet; if you snap your fingers and then pat your leg two or three times, what kind of animal are you telling them you have?

Answer: Dog

If you wanted to tell them you had a cat, you would hold the first three fingers on a hand out, touch them to your cheek, and then pull them away; this should make a pantomime of a cat's whiskers.

3. According to experts, ASL (American Sign Language) more closely resembles Japanese in syntax then it does spoken American English.

Answer: True

Contrary to what some people believe, just because you're good at charades doesn't mean you're any good at ASL, nor is the language simply pantomime gestures. On the other hand though, many signs do involve a measure of mimicry.

Answer: Boat/ship

If instead of just talking about boats, they wanted to ask if you'd ever been on a cruise, the sign is the same only you 'push' your hands even farther forward.

5. Congratulations - your deaf cousin has a new baby! If she makes a 'thumbs-up' and drags her thumb from ear to chin, is her new child a boy or a girl?

Answer: Girl

This sign comes from the days when women wore bonnets every time they left the house - the bonnet strings would run (roughly) from ear to chin. If her new bundle of joy had been a boy, your cousin would have pantomimed a baseball cap's bill.

6. If you wanted to tell a deaf person "I love you", what three digits would be held up?

Answer: Index and pinky fingers, along with the thumb

While many non-signers are confused by this at first, it is actually rather straight-forward once you know the alphabet in sign language: 'I' is made by holding up the pinky, 'L' by extending the thumb and index finger, and 'Y' by an outstretched thumb and pinky.

7. The sign for which of the following beverages comes from the stereotypical action of a specific type of addict?

Answer: Coca-Cola

Yes, it's good old Coca-Cola! To make this sign, you hold out one arm, then - with the other hand - make an 'l' shape with your thumb and index finger. Place the index finger near the crook of your elbow, and mimic a syringe plunger with your thumb. This refers to the days when the drink actually HAD small quantities of cocaine in it!

8. Which of the following number-letter combinations do those just learning to sign often jumble?

Answer: W-3

In ASL, the letter 'W' is made by holding up your first three fingers (index, middle, and ring), while the number '3' is made by holding up your first two fingers (index and middle) fingers and your thumb. The other three combinations really don't resemble each other at all in ASL.

9. Just as there are many variants of spoken English, so too are there many variants of Sign Language.

Answer: True

Makes sense there would be, doesn't it? Some variants include French Sign Language, International Sign (or Gestuno), and British Sign Language.

10. And finally, how would you sign the word 'friend'?

Answer: Interlocking your index fingers

While any of these is usually an acceptable way to show friendship, the ASL sign is the interlocking of your index fingers, sometimes several times. This is meant to look like links in a chain, and thus symbolize the bond of friendship!

Source: Author NovaLuna

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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