The signs for 'Student' and 'Teacher' incorporate the 'Person' ending. True or false?

The signs for 'Student' and 'Teacher' incorporate the 'Person' ending. True or false?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

In ASL, many agent nouns are formed by adding the sign for “person” to a base sign that expresses the action or role. That pattern shows up with both teacher and student. Signing “teach” plus “person” yields a person who teaches, and signing “learn” (or “study”) plus “person” yields a person who learns. So the signs for Teacher and Student incorporate that “person” ending, making the meaning clearly about a person who performs the action.

In ASL, many agent nouns are formed by adding the sign for “person” to a base sign that expresses the action or role. That pattern shows up with both teacher and student. Signing “teach” plus “person” yields a person who teaches, and signing “learn” (or “study”) plus “person” yields a person who learns. So the signs for Teacher and Student incorporate that “person” ending, making the meaning clearly about a person who performs the action.