Storytelling in ASL

Our class this week had the pleasure of learning about story telling in American Sign Language (ASL) and deaf culture in the United States.  Dr. Rust and Dr. Rose left a very strong impression on me about the language as a whole.  I always thought of American Sign Language in terms of English.  As all languages, I translate words and signs into English and then string them together to form an english sentence that I can understand.  Hearing the lecture from these two professors made me realize that ASL has its own structure and grammar and is its own language and not just a translation of English.  I always had respect for the language, do not get me wrong, but I think the name (American Sign Language) automatically made me think English Sign Language since English is the dominant language in the United States. I am proud to now say that I know better, thanks to the presentation and I now realize that all the sound and descriptions I  have taken for granted in the past can be achieved in ASL as it leaves such a vidid image in the audience's mind.

What I was most impressed about was the deaf's ability to poke fun at their hearing counterparts as a way to not only entertain but to bring the hearing and not to the same level in society.  For example, they told a story of a Cuban, a Russian, and an American on a train with the idea being that there are too many hearing people in America.  I loved the fact that the non-hearing can poke fun at the hearing and have become an equal part in society, although they do get away with some speeding tickets as I have learned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZjah32LoW0

This is a clip of the Coda Brothers in a comedy routine making fun of all the things hearing people do.  Unfortunately I do not understand what they are saying but just from their facial expressions, I know that they are greatly enjoying themselves.  Also from the comments, I believe one of the things they make fun of is the game charades.  In the game, people try to clue at a word without speaking.  Deaf people can easily make fun of this game as hearing have no way of doing this other than making obnoxious movements and in the end, looking quite silly to a deaf person. Now thinking about it, charades is a pretty funny game since there is a certified language that can be used in its place.

What else I found interesting is I found a deaf version of you-tube, Deaf-Tube (http://www.deaf-tube.com/).  This makes me happy as not only is telephone communication becoming available for the deaf, but the internet has made strides to make materials easily accessible for the deaf. 

 ASL Telephone

(http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/08/deaf-students-sign-language/)

Playing softball in college, we played Gallaudet University last season and I really appreciated all the hardships deaf people deal with but they are always proud of their accomplishments and are fully capable. For example, our team beat them by quite a bit but following the two games, they were the more happy team. They were happy to have the chance to play at the college level and go out and do what they love. They cheered for each other and they always signed until they were aware that everyone on the field was aware of the sign.  I was amazed by all that they were able to do and this was further clarified by the presentation of Dr. Rust and Dr. Rose.

Overall, I was amazed by the deaf culture and story telling in ASL and if I ever get the chance, I would love to take some classes to further my knowledge of the subject and I would recommend it for others as well.