The Hidden History and Culture Quiz

In what year did Joan Poole Nash uncover the hidden history of Martha's Vineyard Sign Language?

• 1979

• 1950

• 1994

• 1850

What was the ratio of deaf people in the Squibnocket part of Martha's Vineyard by the 1850s?

• 1 in 100

• 1 in 25

• 1 in 5,728

• 1 in 1,000

Who established the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut?

• Joan Poole Nash

• Thomas Gallaudet

• Laurent Clerc

• Nancy Frishberg

Which sign language does ASL have more in common with?

• Chinese Sign Language

• British Sign Language

• Martha's Vineyard Sign Language

• French Sign Language

What year did the last fluent MVSL speaker pass away?

• 1979

• 1950

• 1994

• 1850

What was a unique feature of MVSL compared to ASL?

• It was exclusively used by deaf people

• It often used two hands for signs

• It used only one hand for signs

• It was influenced by Native Nations

Where did MVSL-speaking children often attend school?

• Boston University

• Martha's Vineyard High School

• New England Sign Language Society

• American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut

What influenced the development of MVSL?

• Deaf immigrants from Kent, England

• Both A and B

• French Sign Language

• Local Native American sign languages

What was the primary reason for the disappearance of MVSL?

• Natural disasters

• Lack of interest in sign languages

• Introduction of new people to the gene pool

• Government intervention

What did a paper by linguist Nancy Frishberg reveal about sign languages?

• ASL and MVSL are almost identical

• MVSL was the oldest sign language

• Older signs used two hands while newer signs used one

• Sign languages are not real languages