In deaf education, what is the role of built-in signs?

• A. They are used only for classification of hearing loss
• B. They convey grammar information through built-in signs
• C. They replace all written language
• D. They have no educational value

Answer: (B)

Built-in signs are signs that carry grammatical information as part of the sign system used with Deaf students. In deaf education, these signs aren’t just about vocabulary; they encode how sentences are formed—things like tense, number, negation, and question structure—through the sign sequence and accompanying facial expressions and body language. This visual representation of grammar helps students understand and produce grammatically correct sentences and supports literacy by linking signs to English grammar. They are educational tools, not just for classifying hearing loss, they don’t replace written language, and they do have educational value.