Sign has become a scientific hot button. Only in the past 20 years have specialists in language study realized that signed languages are unique ----a speech of the hand. They offer a new way to probe how the brain generates and understands language, and throw new light on an old scientific controversy （爭(zhēng)論）: whether language, completed with grammar, is something that we are born with, or whether it is a learned behavior. The current interest in sign language has roots in the pioneering work of one rebel teacher at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the world’s only liberal arts university for deaf people.

When Bill Stokoe went to teach English, the school enrolled him in a course in signing. But Stokoe noticed something odd; among themselves, students signed differently from his classroom teacher.

Stokoe had been taught a sort of gestural （手勢(shì)） code, each movement of the hands representing a word in English. At the time, American Sign Language （ASL） was thought to be no more than a form of pidgin English （混雜英語）. But Stokoe believed the “hand talk” his students used looked richer. He wondered: Might deaf people actually have a genuine language? And could that language be unlike any other on Earth? It was 1955, when even deaf people dismissed their signing as “substandard”. Stokoe’s idea was academic heresy （異端邪說）.

　 It is 37 years later. Stokoe —now devoting his time to writing and editing books and journals and to producing video materials on ASL and the deaf culture --- is having lunch at a café near the Gallaudet campus and explaining how he started a revolution. For decades educators fought his idea that signed languages are natural languages like English, French and Japanese. They assumed language must be based on speech, the modulation（調(diào)節(jié)） of sound. But sign language is based on the movements of hands, the modulation of space. “What I said,” Stokoe explains, “is that language is not mouth stuff （素材）--- it’s brain stuff.”

1．The study of sign language is thought to be ________.

A．a(chǎn) new way to look at the learning of language

B．a(chǎn) challenge to traditional views on the nature of language

C．a(chǎn)n approach to simplifying the grammatical structure of a language

D．a(chǎn)n attempt to clarify misunderstanding about the origin of language

2．Most educators objected to Stokoe’s idea because they thought _____.

A．sign language was not extensively used even by deaf people

B．sign language was too artificial to be widely used and understood

C．a(chǎn) language should be easy to use and understand

D．a(chǎn) language could only exist in the form of speech sounds

3．Stokoe’s argument is based on his belief that _____.

A．sign language is as efficient as any other language

B．sign language is derived from natural language

C．language is a system of meaningful codes

D．language is a product of the brain.

 

練習(xí)冊(cè)系列答案
相關(guān)習(xí)題

科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解

Why should you learn Sign Language? Do you want to improve your communication with a family member or friend who is deaf? Do you want to be able to communicate with deaf people in general? Would you like to advance in your career by being able to communicate in ASL? Do you want to be a Sign Language interpreter?

Sign language is not just a random (隨意的) collection of gestures but a full-blown (完全成熟的) language in its own right, complete with its own grammatical rules. Each country or region has its own sign language, as different from each other as English is from Spanish. Each version of sign language is somewhat linked to the spoken language in its region. For example, American sign language does share similarities with English, even though it is its own language.

The advantages of knowing sign language in addition to a spoken language are many. Communication becomes possible on many levels with the deaf community, with other people either hearing or not in any of the above situations, as well as many more.

While other languages take years to learn, American Sign Language can be taught in a much shorter time period. It is one of the easiest languages to learn because most of the signs were developed to mimic the actual word or phrase it is representing. Even the alphabet signs look like the letters of the English alphabet.

American Sign Language, or ASL, is the third most used language in the United States. Used by the deaf community, interpreters, and friends and family of the deaf. There are a lot of sites on the internet that not only shows you the sign with video, but will help you practice reading signs as well.

Teaching even hearing babies sign language seems to be the fashion in recent years and for good reason. Communicating in sign language is fun and natural as babies naturally use body gestures in early communication. Teaching baby sign language actually appears to enhance the learning of verbal skills and brain development of the children involved.

Which two regions share similarities in their sign language?

A. Spain and Britain.

B. Mexico and USA.

C. Australia and Canada.

D. Japan and Korea.

Sign language ________.

A. is a collection of gestures

B. is easier to learn than English

C. is not very popular in USA

D. has no link to the spoken language

One of the reasons for learning sign language is that it ________.

A. increase self-confidence

B. provides more choices of career

C. trains brains

D. is interesting

Babies’ learning sign language cannot ________.

A. help them talk sooner

B. help them walk sooner

C. increase communication at a very early age

D. enrich relationship with parents and the people who take care of them

Which of the following topics is not discussed in the passage?

A. What is sign language?

B. The advantages of knowing sign language.

C. The relation of American sign language and English.

D. Ways of learning sign language.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：2010年上海市閔行區(qū)高三下學(xué)期質(zhì)量調(diào)研考試（英語） 題型：完型填空

For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D.  Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.
To advertise effectively today, you must abandon the old-school idea of “reaching the masses”. All advertising is local and personal. The key to effective advertising today is to focus on the   50  .
Some are the   51   ways every advertiser could work out. You can print a specific offer of your goods or service on door-hangers and place them on doorknobs in your area. Door-hangers on doorknobs will produce results in direct   52   about the strength of your offer. If you need to reach the drivers, flyer (宣傳單) under windshield (擋風(fēng)玻璃) wipers may have better effect than door-hangers. Imagine, how   53   if you hire someone to be a walking ad or launch a T-shirt advertising,   54  , you can print your products on T-shirts of your   55  . In the early 1970s “Hamp Baker says Drive with Care” was spray-painted on cars, which was a public service ad. Ever since, spray-painted sign has become more and more   56  .
More grand ways are as follows: virtual showroom. Build a website to   57   a virtual showroom. Use it when people call to ask   58   about your company, your products or your services. Also you can even use an old slide projector to put on a nighttime show. They’re   59   effective, and in the long run, cheap. Nothing is quite as powerful as a public   60   that seizes the public’s attention. You can invite a band to give a performance.
61   , you can hire famous models to show it vividly.
Nothing screams “expert” quite as loudly as a book written about a subject. You simply can’t   62   the power of your name on the cover of a book. You might only sell a few copies online, but the copies you give away in your town will make you a fortune. You won’t make money on the book. You’ll make it because of the book.
Of course, word-of-mouth is the best way to promote your   63  . Friends and past customers recommend your products to their family, friends and colleagues. Word-of-mouth works because the   64  is based on previous positive experiences.
50.   A. content                  B. product                           C. individual               D. style
51.   A. strange                  B. common                         C. amusing                D. perfect
52.   A. description           B. decision                          C. discussion             D. permission
53.   A. stupid                     B. funny                               C. impressive            D. ridiculous
54.   A. that is                   B. first of all                        C. as a result             D. generally speaking
55.   A. customers            B. employers                      C. consumers            D. employees
56.   A. expensive              B. valueless                        C. popular                  D. meaningless
57.   A. refer to                  B. serve as                          C. stand for               D. keep off
58.   A. location                 B. business-hours             C. salary                     D. details
59. A. unbelievably         B. consequently                 C. accidentally          D. occasionally
60.   A. speech                            B. sport                                C. debate                            D. performance
61.   A. For example         B. Moreover                       C. However               D. To be exact
62.   A. create                    B. change                                     C. imagine                 D. overuse
63.   A. production            B. friendship                       C. management       D. business
64.   A. information          B. relationship                   C. pronunciation     D. achievement

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：2010年廣州市執(zhí)信中學(xué)四校聯(lián)考高一下學(xué)期期末考試英語卷 題型：閱讀理解

Why should you learn Sign Language? Do you want to improve your communication with a family member or friend who is deaf? Do you want to be able to communicate with deaf people in general? Would you like to advance in your career by being able to communicate in ASL? Do you want to be a Sign Language interpreter?
Sign language is not just a random (隨意的) collection of gestures but a full-blown (完全成熟的) language in its own right, complete with its own grammatical rules. Each country or region has its own sign language, as different from each other as English is from Spanish. Each version of sign language is somewhat linked to the spoken language in its region. For example, American sign language does share similarities with English, even though it is its own language.
The advantages of knowing sign language in addition to a spoken language are many. Communication becomes possible on many levels with the deaf community, with other people either hearing or not in any of the above situations, as well as many more.
While other languages take years to learn, American Sign Language can be taught in a much shorter time period. It is one of the easiest languages to learn because most of the signs were developed to mimic the actual word or phrase it is representing. Even the alphabet signs look like the letters of the English alphabet.
American Sign Language, or ASL, is the third most used language in the United States. Used by the deaf community, interpreters, and friends and family of the deaf. There are a lot of sites on the internet that not only shows you the sign with video, but will help you practice reading signs as well.
Teaching even hearing babies sign language seems to be the fashion in recent years and for good reason. Communicating in sign language is fun and natural as babies naturally use body gestures in early communication. Teaching baby sign language actually appears to enhance the learning of verbal skills and brain development of the children involved.
【小題1】Which two regions share similarities in their sign language?
A. Spain and Britain.
B. Mexico and USA.
C. Australia and Canada.
D. Japan and Korea.
【小題2】Sign language ________.

A．is a collection of gestures
B．is easier to learn than English
C．is not very popular in USA
D．has no link to the spoken language
【小題3】One of the reasons for learning sign language is that it ________.
A．increase self-confidence
B．provides more choices of career
C．trains brains
D．is interesting
【小題4】Babies’ learning sign language cannot ________.
A．help them talk sooner
B．help them walk sooner
C．increase communication at a very early age
D．enrich relationship with parents and the people who take care of them
【小題5】Which of the following topics is not discussed in the passage?
A．What is sign language?
B．The advantages of knowing sign language.
C．The relation of American sign language and English.
D．Ways of learning sign language.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：2014屆上海市高二下期期末考試英語卷（解析版） 題型：完型填空

To advertise effectively today, you must abandon the old-school idea of “reaching the masses”. All advertising is local and personal. The key to effective advertising today is to focus on the     45   .

Some are the     46    ways every advertiser could work out. You can print a specific offer of your goods or service on door-hangers and place them on doorknobs in your area. Door-hangers on doorknobs will produce results in direct     47    about the strength of your offer. If you need to reach the drivers, flyer (宣傳單) under windshield (擋風(fēng)玻璃) wipers may have better effect than door-hangers. Imagine, how     48    if you hire someone to be a walking ad or launch a T-shirt advertising,     49   , you can print your products on T-shirts of your     50   . In the early 1970s “Hamp Baker says Drive with Care” was spray-painted on cars, which was a public service ad. Ever since, spray-painted sign has become more and more    51   .

More grand ways are as follows: virtual showroom. Build a website to    52    a virtual showroom. Use it when people call to ask    53    about your company, your products or your services. Also you can even use an old slide projector to put on a nighttime show. They’re    54    effective, and in the long run, cheap. Nothing is quite as powerful as a public    55    that seizes the public’s attention. You can invite a band to give a performance.    56   , you can hire famous models to show it vividly.

Nothing screams “expert” quite as loudly as a book written about a subject. You simply can’t    57    the power of your name on the cover of a book. You might only sell a few copies online, but the copies you give away in your town will make you a fortune. You won’t make money on the book. You’ll make it because of the book.

Of course, word-of-mouth is the best way to promote your    58   . Friends and past customers recommend your products to their family, friends and colleagues. Word-of-mouth works because the    59     is based on previous positive experiences.

1.A. person                 B. product        C. individual                 D. style

2.A. special                          B. common     C. amusing                    D. normal

3.A. description                  B. decision   C. discussion                    D. permission

4.A. surprising            B. funny      C. impressive            D. amazing

5.A. that is        B. at the same time             C. as a result             D. on occasion

6.A. customers           B. employers     C. consumers                     D. employees

7.A. expensive           B. usual        C. popular                        D. meaningless

8.A. refer to      B. serve as         C. stand for               D. use as

9.A. location                   B. business-hours       C. salary            D. details

10.A. unbelievably        B. consequently          C. accidentally            D. occasionally

11.A. speech                       B. sport         C. debate                D. performance

12.A. For example         B. Moreover       C. However       D. To be exact

13.A. create                         B. guess              C. imagine         D. think

14.A. production                B. reflection               C. consciousness      D. business

15.A. information               B. relationship    C. pronunciation     D. achievement

 

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：2010廣州執(zhí)信中學(xué)四校聯(lián)考高一期末試題 題型：閱讀理解

Why should you learn Sign Language? Do you want to improve your communication with a family member or friend who is deaf? Do you want to be able to communicate with deaf people in general? Would you like to advance in your career by being able to communicate in ASL? Do you want to be a Sign Language interpreter?

Sign language is not just a random (隨意的) collection of gestures but a full-blown (完全成熟的) language in its own right, complete with its own grammatical rules. Each country or region has its own sign language, as different from each other as English is from Spanish. Each version of sign language is somewhat linked to the spoken language in its region. For example, American sign language does share similarities with English, even though it is its own language.

The advantages of knowing sign language in addition to a spoken language are many. Communication becomes possible on many levels with the deaf community, with other people either hearing or not in any of the above situations, as well as many more.

While other languages take years to learn, American Sign Language can be taught in a much shorter time period. It is one of the easiest languages to learn because most of the signs were developed to mimic the actual word or phrase it is representing. Even the alphabet signs look like the letters of the English alphabet.

American Sign Language, or ASL, is the third most used language in the United States. Used by the deaf community, interpreters, and friends and family of the deaf. There are a lot of sites on the internet that not only shows you the sign with video, but will help you practice reading signs as well.

Teaching even hearing babies sign language seems to be the fashion in recent years and for good reason. Communicating in sign language is fun and natural as babies naturally use body gestures in early communication. Teaching baby sign language actually appears to enhance the learning of verbal skills and brain development of the children involved.

1.Which two regions share similarities in their sign language?

A. Spain and Britain.

B. Mexico and USA.

C. Australia and Canada.

D. Japan and Korea.

2.Sign language ________.

A．is a collection of gestures

B．is easier to learn than English

C．is not very popular in USA

D．has no link to the spoken language

3.One of the reasons for learning sign language is that it ________.

A．increase self-confidence

B．provides more choices of career

C．trains brains

D．is interesting

4.Babies’ learning sign language cannot ________.

A．help them talk sooner

B．help them walk sooner

C．increase communication at a very early age

D．enrich relationship with parents and the people who take care of them

5.Which of the following topics is not discussed in the passage?

A．What is sign language?

B．The advantages of knowing sign language.

C．The relation of American sign language and English.

D．Ways of learning sign language.

 

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習(xí)冊(cè)答案