Timing Sensitivity and Age as Predictors of Sign Language Learning

Abstract

Timing sensitivity, age, and sex were studied as possible predictors of success in hearing adults’ learning of sign language. Four measures of success in sign language learning were used: semester grade in a sign language course, and evaluations by teachers of signing, fingerspelling, and overall expressive skills. The results revealed that timing sensitivity and age do predict sign language learning success. Those more sensitive to timing features learn sign language better than those less sensitive, and younger adults learn sign language better than do older adults. The relation of timing sensitivity to sign language learning suggests that timing is an important dimension of sign language.