Which meaning concerns how signs carry meaning within a social group?

• A. Social Meaning
• B. Referential Meaning
• C. Affective Meaning
• D. Pragmatic Meaning

Answer: (A)

Social meaning is about how signs signal information about who the signer is, their place in a group, and the social relationship between people. In ASL, choices like which variant of a sign to use, the use of polite or formal signs, signing rate, and even facial expressions and head tilts all carry social information. These cues show membership in a Deaf community, level of formality, gendered or regional identity, and respect for the listener. This contrasts with referential meaning (what the sign points to in the real world), affective meaning (the speaker’s emotions or attitude), and pragmatic meaning (how signs are used to achieve an action or effect in context). Since the focus is on how signs carry meaning within a social group, social meaning is the best fit. For example, using more formal signs with elders or in classroom settings signals respect and social distance, while casual variants can signal closeness or group belonging.