Use of orthographic structure by deaf adults: Recognition of fingerspelled words

Abstract

ABSTRACTDeaf adults' access to English word structure was tested in a task requiring letter report for fingerspelled words, orthographically regular nonsense words (pseudowords), and orthographically irregular nonsense words (nonwords). Deaf subjects, like hearing subjects, were sensitive to orthographic structure as indicated by accuracy of letter report: Letters of words were reported most accurately, while letters of pseudowords were reported more accurately than letters of nonwords. Analysis of errors on letter reports revealed that deaf subjects tended to produce orthographically regular responses. These results provide clear evidence that deaf adults are able to make use of orthographic structure.