When are deaf students learning ASL from their deaf families able to use verb agreement correctly much of the time?

When are deaf students learning ASL from their deaf families able to use verb agreement correctly much of the time?

• A. Around 4-5 years
• B. Around 1-2 years
• C. Around 3-4 years
• D. Around 2-3 years

Answer: (C)

In ASL, verb agreement is shown through directionality—the sign’s movement is directed toward the person who is the subject or object. Children who learn ASL from Deaf family members are immersed in natural language use, so they pick up these directional cues as part of everyday communication. By about three to four years old, many deaf children are using these directional/verbs correctly most of the time, reflecting that their morphological system for signaling who is doing what to whom is becoming consistent. Earlier ages (around 1–2 or 2–3) usually involve learning basic signs and less consistent use of verb direction, while by four to five years some may reach high levels of consistency as they continue refining their grammar. So the typical window for success with verb agreement is around three to four years.

In ASL, verb agreement is shown through directionality—the sign’s movement is directed toward the person who is the subject or object. Children who learn ASL from Deaf family members are immersed in natural language use, so they pick up these directional cues as part of everyday communication. By about three to four years old, many deaf children are using these directional/verbs correctly most of the time, reflecting that their morphological system for signaling who is doing what to whom is becoming consistent. Earlier ages (around 1–2 or 2–3) usually involve learning basic signs and less consistent use of verb direction, while by four to five years some may reach high levels of consistency as they continue refining their grammar. So the typical window for success with verb agreement is around three to four years.