The three basic categories of sign language are American Sign Language, Speech-equivalent signing systems, and finger-spelling systems.

The three basic categories of sign language are American Sign Language, Speech-equivalent signing systems, and finger-spelling systems.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. American Sign Language, Sign-supported English, and mime
• D. British Sign Language, American Sign Language, and gestures

Answer: (A)

Sign language is often taught using three broad ways people communicate with signs. First, natural sign languages like American Sign Language, which are fully developed languages used by Deaf communities. Second, speech-equivalent signing systems that aim to represent English through signs and grammar to support literacy, such as Signed English or SEE. Third, finger-spelling systems that use the manual alphabet to spell out words, typically for proper nouns or terms not readily represented by signs. The statement is true because it captures this common framework: American Sign Language is an example of a natural sign language, there are signs-based systems that map English onto signs, and there is a distinct finger-spelling component used to spell words.

Sign language is often taught using three broad ways people communicate with signs. First, natural sign languages like American Sign Language, which are fully developed languages used by Deaf communities. Second, speech-equivalent signing systems that aim to represent English through signs and grammar to support literacy, such as Signed English or SEE. Third, finger-spelling systems that use the manual alphabet to spell out words, typically for proper nouns or terms not readily represented by signs. The statement is true because it captures this common framework: American Sign Language is an example of a natural sign language, there are signs-based systems that map English onto signs, and there is a distinct finger-spelling component used to spell words.