Sign languages like ASL are not visual codes for spoken languages—they are independent languages with their own grammatical structures. Linguistic research has shown that deaf children acquiring sign language go through the same developmental stages as hearing children acquiring spoken language. Arguments that signing would impair spoken language development have been undermined by studies showing bilingual deaf children perform well in both modalities.
It can be inferred from the text that
ASL is simply English expressed through hand gestures
signing necessarily impairs spoken language development
linguistic capacity may be expressed through different modalities while sharing fundamental properties
deaf children cannot acquire language normally
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. Sign and spoken language show the same developmental stages.
- Context clues: Same developmental stages despite different modalities; bilingualism is possible.
- Meaning: Human language capacity underlies both signed and spoken expression.
- Verify: Sign languages having "their own grammatical structures" shows full linguistic complexity.
💡 Strategy: When different forms show the same underlying patterns, infer shared deeper properties.
Choice A is incorrect because ASL has "independent" grammar, not a code for English. Choice B is incorrect because bilingual children "perform well in both modalities." Choice D is incorrect because deaf children go through "same developmental stages."