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Can SEE-2 children understand ASL-using adults?
1Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.
American Annals of the Deaf
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Students using Signing Exact English (SEE-2) can comprehend American Sign Language (ASL) as well as peers exposed to multiple sign systems. This finding suggests ASL comprehension is not limited by exclusive exposure to SEE-2.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Deaf Education
- Sign Language Studies
Background:
- Invented sign systems like Signing Exact English (SEE-2) are used with deaf children in the US.
- SEE-2 differs from American Sign Language (ASL) in sign configuration and grammar.
- Understanding ASL comprehension in students using SEE-2 is crucial for educational strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if students familiar with SEE-2 can comprehend ASL.
- To compare ASL comprehension between students primarily exposed to SEE-2 and those in residential programs with varied sign language exposure.
Main Methods:
- Two groups of hearing-impaired students were studied.
- One group was educated using SEE-2 in day schools.
- The other group attended residential programs with exposure to Signed English, PSE, and ASL.
Main Results:
- Both groups watched three videotaped short stories.
- Comprehension was assessed via written questions after each story.
- No significant difference was found in comprehension scores between the two groups, with both averaging approximately 25% correct.
Conclusions:
- Students exposed to SEE-2 can comprehend ASL.
- Lack of direct experience with deaf adults and ASL did not impede comprehension.
- Educational approaches for deaf children may benefit from understanding the flexibility of sign language acquisition.