Can the Communication Professional (CP) sign the carrying words of questions?
The words of questions such as 鈥楧escribe鈥� 鈥楨xplain鈥� etc are classed as 鈥榗ommand words鈥� (not 鈥榗arrying words鈥�) and should be taught vocabulary.
In Scotland the Communication Professional (CP) can sign the command words of questions e.g Describe/Explain etc.
In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, there is a different language policy.聽If such command words are found in source material (typically contained in a border) they must not be changed or signed, and never in an English exam.
There is no mention聽of command words in the regs for CPJCQ AA regs 22/23 and they are not included in what聽cannot聽be signed:
5.13.5聽鈥淭he Communication Professional must be familiar with the subject being examined and the candidate鈥檚 normal way of working. This will ensure that the meaning of the question is not changed and that technical and subject specific terms are recognised and finger spelt. (Technical and subject specific terms must not be signed.)鈥�
Therefore, these can be signed, but the CP must be very careful with these words, signing only the sign which has exactly the same meaning as the written command ie the command words must not explained.
The examiner chooses them carefully to indicate what the candidate is expected to include in the answer and how the answer should be constructed. Incorrectly signing these crucial words may put a candidate off the track. 聽It is important to also note that the candidate must be aware of the difference between what the answer requires when asked to 鈥榚xplain鈥� as opposed to when asked to 鈥榙escribe鈥� (even though they are the same sign).聽聽This means command words and expected answers from these words needs to be explicitly taught.聽 Command words are troublesome to interpret/sign because there is so much underlying meaning in each word.
JCQ regs for Language Modifiers (22/23 聽(5.11.5)
鈥淢ust have聽an聽understanding of the impact of command words and an examiner鈥檚 expectations of a candidate鈥檚 answer.鈥�
鈥�(LMs)聽must聽take great care if modifying 鈥榗ommand鈥� words in questions, such as describe, explain and suggest, as changing such words may change the nature of the question and disadvantage the candidate. In most cases command words should聽not聽be modified.
For example, it might be possible to change ‘how far’ to ‘to what extent’聽but to use ‘how’ or ‘why’ instead would mean the candidate is not likely to respond as the examiner intended.
Internal training activity suggestion 鈥� have a list of the command words and meanings. Cut up the sheet and separate the command words from their meanings. Have fun with the staff matching them all up again.
