Visual Music
Interpreting Songs in American Sign Language
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Target - Target language (ASL), Gloss Target language refers to the manner in which the client wants you to sign; a more transliterated English word order form or a more conceptual idiomatic visual ASL form. It would also include Manually Coded English but for this text that is not where we are focusing. The focus of this text is not even the transliterated form. I am focusing on the idiomatic form and the attempt to be both as visually pleasing and conceptually correct as possible. In order to accomplish that end
Rhetorical Questions Topicalization WH-Questions (Who, What, When, Where, Why, Which, How) Conditionals
A rhetorical question is basically a statement made in the form of a question. You are asking a question that you, the giver of the message
MY NAME WHAT? RAY.
DIE THERE CROSS WHO? JESUS.
TOMORROW WE GO WHERE? DISNEY WORLD.
I LIVE WHERE? MARYLAND.
As you see, I am not asking the receiver of the message for an answer to my questions; rather I am emphasizing the answer by setting it up as a rhetorical question. It is also important to note that facially, you do not ask a rhetorical question as you would a WH-question. For a WH-question, your eyebrows are furrowed down (like a frown). However, for a rhetorical question, your eyebrows are up. Text Analysis As you look over the lyrics, the English words of the song you intend to perform, you will face a variety of textual concerns and as you face these concerns you have to keep in mind the following:
What is the overall meaning of the song? What are the parts of the song that demonstrate that meaning? What are the concepts that are presented that support that meaning?
For example - is the song a love song? How do you know? What in the song tells you it is a love song? Who is in love? What tells you who is in love? What kind of love: Love of mother for child, love of person for God, love of man for wife?
Similar to a script for a play or movie, all that you need to know usually can be found in the lines, if you read carefully enough and find the concepts. There will, however, be times you have to use your creative license for artistic freedom. ASL Storytelling ASL Storytelling is as much an art as verbal/oral storytelling; it is not simply the telling of an event as you would in casual conversation. Storytelling involves so much more than just talking conversationally; and in terms of ASL storytelling, it involves much more than just signing. Telling a story in ASL involves many of the same elements as verbal storytelling, and the use of these various techniques to make the story effective, interesting, and entertaining. In ASL, the person “shows” you the story versus “telling” you the story. They employ that cinematographic skill I mentioned earlier and will revisit again later. I have no idea if you have ever seen an ASL storyteller, but whether you have or have not seen an ASL storyteller, it is now in your best interest to make every effort to research, watch and observe ASL storytellers with this new information in mind. Performing Performing is the act of doing something to entertain, bring enjoyment through a performance or a show. As an ASL performing artist, we therefore are using ASL to entertain our audience and possibly to educate them as well.
Do's and Don'ts of performing music in ASL * Do obtain lyrics in advance.
* Do translate into target language (conceptually correct).
* Do think in terms of performing (not interpreting) so be aware of size
* Do not interpret the music, you are now performing it. Mindfulness I would like to take a moment to comment about mindfulness as it relates to stress. Many times when we are interpreting or performing, we catch ourselves doing something we label as wrong, then we obsess over the wrong sign, missed word or phrase, other ways we could have signed or voiced the message. In those moments when we are stuck in the past, we are not being present in the Now. Mindfulness will release you from the regret of the past or worries of the future because you are only in the present. I am not saying don't think about how to better your skills by evaluating your product. What I am saying is - do not obsess over it or kick yourself for doing something “wrong.” Make note, make improvements, and move on.
This can also assist you in being critical or judgmental of other interpreters or signers. We are all on various levels of skill, various levels of consciousness, and various levels of awareness. To judge or criticize someone for the manner in which they signed something speaks more to your state of being than to that person's state of being. You are choosing to be mindful of error, judgment, criticism, and ridicule. You will see people sign things in ways that you would not and you will see interpreters interpret things in ways that you would not and they will make “mistakes,” as do we all at some point or another. What does it serve you or the community to focus on the negative? Choose to be mindful of improvement, support, health, healing, and being affirming.
of signs, visually pleasing choices, body language and facial
expression, incorporating visual vernacular and other theatric and
performance techniques that will heighten the entertainment of the
show (such as dance.)
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Over the years, I have met countless people who desire to sign (interpret or perform) songs in ASL. It has been my experience that, of those that want to do this, many are unaware of how to do so in a conceptually accurate manner. There are many people stuck in the box of transliteration only because they don't know how to get out of that particular box. Many of us are not taught how to sign in a more idiomatic and visual manner, let alone sign songs that are inherently more conceptual than literal.
What I am presenting for you in this text is a summarized version of what I teach in my “American Sign Language and Performing” class at Prince George's Community College. I have selected several of the tools and skills that I have learned and have used since beginning this performance art form in 1992. Having successfully used them and taught them to others who have also successfully used, I know that they work. My presentation format is similar to the way I teach the course and I hope that you find it as easy to follow and free flowing as you would in the class.
While this book was written to address certain issues related to “perform / interpret” songs in ASL, I want to make sure it is clear that this text is also of benefit to those who adamantly are opposed and disinterested with music and ASL. The skills I will introduce, such as conceptual accuracy, use of facial expression and body language as a storytelling device, use of visual vernacular, acting and several “Rayisms,” will be beneficial to anyone and everyone seeking to improve their expressive ASL skills.
OK, so relax, take a breath, turn the pages, and get ready to put your hands up and sign, act, and dance your way to greater proficiency.
About the Author
Raymont Anderson, a life long student, loves the process of learning new things and improving the skills that he already possesses. He holds several degrees: an Associate Degree in illustration and graphic design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from Carlow College, Associate Degree in interpreting and certificate in deaf studies from Community College of Allegheny county, Master of fine Arts in Theatre Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University, Doctor of Divinity from The American Institute of Holistic Theology and at this writing he is completing a dual PhD program. Through the American Institute of Holistic Theology he is completing a PhD in metaphysics and through the University of Sedona , a PhD in Holistic Life Coaching. He currently works in the Arundel County Public School System where he teaches ASL to high school students. He also serves as a certified Holistic Life Coach, visual artist, Ordained Minister, ASL performing artist, freelance interpreter, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend.