| Budget Amount *help |
¥1,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,900,000)
Fiscal Year 2001: ¥600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000)
Fiscal Year 2000: ¥500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000)
Fiscal Year 1999: ¥800,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000)
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| Research Abstract |
Five experiments were carried out to investigate memory processes of Sign Language as a second language. In experiment 1, 2, 3, and 4, dual-task methods were used in Japanese-Japanese Sign Language paired associate learning for the beginning class. Experiment 1, 2, and 4 required the subjects to learn high- and low-imagery new words of Sign Language with performing the concurrent tasks. The concurrent tasks were articulatory suppression for Exp. 1, footing a pedal for Exp. 2, and encoding one of eight symbols for Exp. 4. Experiment 3 asked the subjects to learn wide- and narrow-movement new words of Sign Language with encoding one of six plane figures as a concurrent task. The results showed that visuo-spatial short-term memory, concerned with visual component, plays an important role in the acquisition of Sign Language as a second language. It was also suggested that neither phonological short-term memory nor visuo-spatial short-term memory, concerned with spatial component, plays an important role. Experiment 5 required an intermediate class of Sign Language learners to encode two lists of Japanese words and two lists of Sign Language words by translating each other, naming Japanese, and imitating Sign Language. The subjects were then asked unexpectedly to free recall Japanese and Sign Language words, which were visually presented, by writing in Japanese. The finding showed the independent and interconnected memory representation systems for Japanese and Sign Language. Furthermore, it was suggested that visual information of Sign Language was qualitatively different from that of pictures and photographs.
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