Summary of CEFR: Language Proficiency and Assessment

CEFR: Language Proficiency & Assessment - Student Guide

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Introduction

Plurilingualism and interculturality encompass not only oral and written languages but also sign languages as complete linguistic systems. This material explores the competencies required to understand and produce in sign languages, their specific features (such as the use of space, non-manual elements, and productive sign creation), and their sociocultural implications. It is designed for university students who seek to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical applications.

What Are Sign Languages?

Sign languages are visual-spatial linguistic systems used by Deaf and hearing communities; they have their own phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, and combine manual and non-manual elements.

Essential Components

Manual Elements: handshape, orientation, movement, and place of articulation.
Non-Manual Elements: facial expression, eye gaze direction, body posture, head movements; these influence grammar and pragmatics.
Signing Space: three-dimensional use of space to locate referents, mark relationships, and manage textual coherence.
Fingerspelling: adaptation of written language letters for proper nouns or unlexicalized terms; it can become lexicalized over time.

💡 Did you know?Fun fact: Did you know that sign languages use morphosyntactic simultaneity (multiple information channels at once) much more extensively than spoken languages, which requires specific cognitive strategies for their processing?

Key Competencies in Sign Languages

Receptive (comprehension) and productive (production) competencies are distinguished. Several relevant dimensions are broken down below.

1. Lexical and Productive Repertoire

The ability to recognize and use established lexical signs and productive elements that generate new signs through morphosyntactic rules.

Receptive: identifying signs, inferring meaning from context or non-manual elements, interpreting classifier constructions.
Productive: selecting lexical signs, creating productive descriptions using handshapes and classifiers, employing mouthings and constructed action.

Comparative Table: Receptive vs. Productive Repertoire

Aspect	Receptive	Productive
Lexical Signs	Recognition and disambiguation	Precise and appropriate production
Productive Elements	Reanalysis and inference	Application of rules to create signs
Non-manuals	Interpretation of pragmatic meaning	Expressive control (mimesis, eye-gaze)

Practical Example: When describing a new tool, a receiver can infer its function from the handshape and movement; the producer can use a classifier to show handling and size.

2. Diagrammatic Precision (Use of Space)

Mastery of placement and reference within the signing space to maintain coherence and clarity.

Receptive: memorizing loci (locations in space), understanding indexation and pronominalization, recognizing non-manual markers that indicate scope or topicalization.
Productive: establishing coherent loci, maintaining consistency in references, situating events on a spatial timeline.

Example: When narrating an event with multiple characters, the signer assigns spatial positions (A, B, C) and then uses eye-gaze and orientation to refer to each one without repeating names.

3. Sociolinguistics and Cultural Repertoire

Competency to adapt register and communicative behavior according to the cultural norms of the Deaf community.

Recognizing registers (formal/informal), greetings, politeness conventions, taboos, and community abbreviations.
Maintaining and requesting eye contact, using attention-getting strategies (touching, flicking lights), adjusting appearance when context requires it.

💡 Did you know?Did you know that Deaf communities often have specific visual conventions for personal presentation and forms of greeting that differ between regions, and that knowing them facilitates communicative inclusion?

4. Textual Structure in Sign Language

Ability to

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Indicators and Competencies

Klíčové pojmy: Sign languages are complete linguistic systems with manual and non-manual elements., Three-dimensional space (loci) is used for referencing and must be kept consistent throughout communication., Fingerspelling facilitates the transmission of names and non-lexicalized terms, and can become lexicalized over time., Non-manual elements (face, gaze, posture) are grammatical and pragmatic, not merely paralinguistic., Sociolinguistic competence involves adapting register, greetings, and cultural norms of the Deaf community., Signed text structure requires strategy: introduction, development, conclusion, and visual cohesive devices., Processing speed and simultaneity demand automation and perceptual training., Presence and effect combine performative skill and appearance to capture and maintain attention.

## Introduction Plurilingualism and interculturality encompass not only oral and written languages but also sign languages as complete linguistic systems. This material explores the competencies required to understand and produce in sign languages, their specific features (such as the use of space, non-manual elements, and productive sign creation), and their sociocultural implications. It is designed for university students who seek to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical applications. ## What Are Sign Languages? > Sign languages are visual-spatial linguistic systems used by Deaf and hearing communities; they have their own phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, and combine manual and non-manual elements. ### Essential Components - **Manual Elements:** handshape, orientation, movement, and place of articulation. - **Non-Manual Elements:** facial expression, eye gaze direction, body posture, head movements; these influence grammar and pragmatics. - **Signing Space:** three-dimensional use of space to locate referents, mark relationships, and manage textual coherence. - **Fingerspelling:** adaptation of written language letters for proper nouns or unlexicalized terms; it can become lexicalized over time. Fun fact: Did you know that sign languages use morphosyntactic simultaneity (multiple information channels at once) much more extensively than spoken languages, which requires specific cognitive strategies for their processing? ## Key Competencies in Sign Languages Receptive (comprehension) and productive (production) competencies are distinguished. Several relevant dimensions are broken down below. ### 1. Lexical and Productive Repertoire > The ability to recognize and use established lexical signs and productive elements that generate new signs through morphosyntactic rules. - Receptive: identifying signs, inferring meaning from context or non-manual elements, interpreting classifier constructions. - Productive: selecting lexical signs, creating productive descriptions using handshapes and classifiers, employing mouthings and constructed action. Comparative Table: Receptive vs. Productive Repertoire | Aspect | Receptive | Productive | |---|---:|---:| | Lexical Signs | Recognition and disambiguation | Precise and appropriate production | | Productive Elements | Reanalysis and inference | Application of rules to create signs | | Non-manuals | Interpretation of pragmatic meaning | Expressive control (mimesis, eye-gaze) | Practical Example: When describing a new tool, a receiver can infer its function from the handshape and movement; the producer can use a classifier to show handling and size. ### 2. Diagrammatic Precision (Use of Space) > Mastery of placement and reference within the signing space to maintain coherence and clarity. - Receptive: memorizing loci (locations in space), understanding indexation and pronominalization, recognizing non-manual markers that indicate scope or topicalization. - Productive: establishing coherent loci, maintaining consistency in references, situating events on a spatial timeline. Example: When narrating an event with multiple characters, the signer assigns spatial positions (A, B, C) and then uses eye-gaze and orientation to refer to each one without repeating names. ### 3. Sociolinguistics and Cultural Repertoire > Competency to adapt register and communicative behavior according to the cultural norms of the Deaf community. - Recognizing registers (formal/informal), greetings, politeness conventions, taboos, and community abbreviations. - Maintaining and requesting eye contact, using attention-getting strategies (touching, flicking lights), adjusting appearance when context requires it. Did you know that Deaf communities often have specific visual conventions for personal presentation and forms of greeting that differ between regions, and that knowing them facilitates communicative inclusion? ### 4. Textual Structure in Sign Language > Ability to