Manifesto of Craft
Musically Inspired ASL Storytelling
When I made a music sign language video back in 1994, I started to define the work that I do as "musically inspired ASL storytelling". Musically inspired ASL storytelling is mostly ASL improvisation. This craft includes ASL improvization along with creative use of handshapes, rhythm, and symmetry along with the aspects of the Visual Vernacular, a term coined by Bernard Bragg.
Briefly, describing the aspects below that are engaged. It is when a live musical selection is played and used as a backdrop to support the ASL delivery of that piece of music. The translation into ASL from English includes a personal or cultural translation. This cultural piece is beyond interpreting. The selection in ASL becomes either Deaf-centric or Coda-centric; meaning it is tied to a personal or group reference and/or expresses Deaf cultural ways of being to draw interest from the Deaf community in the delivery of music via storytelling.
ASL is the language used to express the lyrics of the music. In some cases the music merely serves as a backdrop to support ASL improvisation being expressed as the music plays. This is often by native users of ASL. This form of storytelling through music has become quite popular. Some native users of ASL have given the idea their best shot and have tried to depart from the original lyrics into a personal or cultural translation and have been successful.
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This craft and has come to be used by Deaf, coda, and interpreter colleagues across the country. For example, within the CODA International organization, reflected during performances of our entertainment evenings, you can see this craft at work and expanding by community use. Also there is evidence that ASL interpreters are working with this craft as well. Perhaps they are seeking depth with their use of ASL and music, the fusion of two genres.
Everyone is talking about Musically Inspired ASL Storytelling. The flurry of others trying this craft and having success is nothing short of inspirational and amazing. This phenomenon has had surprising influences in both CODA and interpreter communities in North America and abroad.
