Discourse Analysis in Second Language Signing Assessment: Sign Language Proficiency Interviews

The Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) was modeled on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in the 1980s in North America and has been adapted for various national signed languages. To date, there has been no published analysis of interview discourse in the SLPI. This chapter examines accommodative question strategies used by deaf interviewers in New Zealand SLPI interviews. Findings reveal that interviewers use interlocutor support strategies that parallel accommodative question types described for OPI interviews and features of spontaneous interaction between fluent and novice signers. Sixty-six percent of questions had accommodative features, which were more frequent with lower proficiency candidates. Evidence of interviewer “helping” strategies is useful for training interviewers and refining the construct of the SLPI.