Development and Utilization of the Sign language Version of the Modern Language Aptitude Test

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K21764
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 9:Education and related fields
• Research Institution: Gunma University
• Principal Investigator: NAKANO Satoko (金澤聡子) 群馬大学, 共同教育学部, 准教授 (20359665)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 原 大介 豊田工業大学, 工学部, 教授 (00329822) ; 金澤 貴之 群馬大学, 教育学部, 教授 (50323324)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 手話言語 / 言語適性 / 第２言語習得理論 / 日本手話

Outline of Final Research Achievements

For adult native speakers, learning sign language as a second language is not easy. The linguistic aptitude for sign language (specific abilities that are thought to predict success in language learning) is assumed to be based on factors such as the ability for linguistic analysis, phonological ability, memory, and working memory as with spoken language, but aspects of M2L2 that use modalities different from those of spoken languages are attracting attention. In this study, as in the findings of previous studies, it was shown that it is difficult for L2 Japanese sign language learners to make precise phonological judgements of sign language. Further, in the early stages of learning, individual differences such as difficulties in perceptual motor coordination, articulation speed, and visual space and mental rotation in sign language were observed, and these were thought to be influenced by phonological ability.

Free Research Field

特別支援教育

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

手話言語に関する言語適性研究は，音声言語に比較して非常に遅れており，また手話言語教育・手話通訳教育は，教育学的／心理学的バックグラウンドを持たない指導経験に基づいて直感的に行われていることが多い。本研究では手話言語版MLAT（現代言語適性テスト）の開発には至らなかったものの，「言語適性」を切り口にL2手話学習者の習得の様相の一端を明らかにしようと試み，効果的な手話言語教育・手話通訳教育のあり方に示唆を与えた学術的意義・社会的意義は大きい。