LSAT 114 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q20

LR Question 20 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Professor Beckstein: American Sign Language is the…

QUESTION TYPE: Method of Reasoning

ARGUMENTS: Beckstein points out that American sign language is the native language of many North Americans. Therefore it should not be permitted as a foreign language course.

Sedley points out that French and Spanish are the native languages of many North Americans. Yet it would be silly to ban them from being allowed as foreign languages courses.

ANALYSIS: Beckstein has a point but he is also being quite dense. When people say “foreign language” they really mean: “language that you do not currently speak.”

Sedley’s method of reasoning is to point out that Beckstein’s logic leads to absurd consequences if we apply it to other languages.

___________

1. CORRECT. If we applied Beckstein’s reasoning to other languages then practically every language could no longer be used as a foreign language course. Almost all foreign languages are spoken by at least some Americans. 
2. No. Beckstein’s logic is certainly consistent in showing that sign language should not be a foreign language. The problem is that Beckstein’s logic also shows that any language with North American native speakers should not be a foreign language.
3. No. Sedley does not claim that Beckstein is unqualified.
4. No. Sedley does not address Beckstein’s facts. Instead he adds new information.
5. Sedley disagrees with Beckstein’s conclusion. He calls it ridiculous…