Sign Languages as Disaster Entertainment

[jesse_the_k]

The American Anthropological Association is "dedicated to advancing human understanding and applying this understanding to the world’s most pressing problems." Currently anthropologists from all over are posting articles on the theme of Pandemic Insights.

Sign Languages as Disaster Entertainment

by Lynn Hou and Octavian Robinson — June 19, 2020

In recent years, whenever disaster strikes, a storm bears down on deaf people as media outlets cast a spotlight on the embodiment of our difference. Sign language interpreters (SLIs) are among the “essential workers” of the current COVID-19 pandemic, appearing alongside health officials and politicians at live press conferences across the world. Moving hands, seemingly distorted faces, chins set at awkward angles, shoulders askew, tongues sticking out, eyes crossed. The dynamic actions of language rendered comically chaotic to the nonsigner’s gaze. Into the formal order of orderly figures, dais, and flag steps the unwitting court jester. [… snip …]

On March 16, 2020, a chisel-chinned Nigel Howard—a deaf American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and holder of looks reminiscent of a 1950s white Hollywood star—became an overnight household sensation. [… snip …]

The visibility of Howard’s interpretation at a high-profile live press conference was double-edged. Many deaf ASL signers lauded him for his fluency and for facilitating crucial access to the stream of news about the pandemic. At the same time, the media spotlight prompted nonsigning viewers to transform him into a series of flying hands and bodily contortions for their own entertainment. [… snip …]

Social media users curate GIFs and manipulate images for recirculation to highlight such embodied differences. These actions transform our marker of difference—sign languages—into a spectacle for consumption and pleasure, all the while cutting us off from access to information and endangering our safety and well-being.

https://www.anthropology-news.org/index.php/2020/06/19/sign-languages-as-disaster-entertainment

Linguist Pamela Wright’s Facebook post is referenced in the article.
https://www.facebook.com/pamela.deckerwright/posts/10158102676252236
She puts those decontextualized GIFs to good use (click through for the actual GIF; here’s all her comments)

This tiny little GIF is an excellent example of at least 8 amazing ASL features!! Linguistics FUN!

1. the topic-comment sentence structure in ASL (establishing a topic - in this case, hand washing - then making a comment about the topic)
2. the use of two hands for the sign ‘MUST’ to increase emphasis. The sign ‘MUST’ is rarely used with two hands, but in this case, perfect for the level of emphasis needed.
3. the sign ‘MUST’ has a longer movement path than the sign form - adding again to the emphasis.
4. the movements for both ‘HAND-WASH’ and ‘MUST’ also have increased tension - clearly noted in the X handshape and how the sign stops
5. the use of both an affirmation and negation head movement! The affirmation nod affirms this is true, then the negation adds that this is indisputable. If you notice - the head nod is 2.5 beats, another level of emphasis.
6. the use of head position - the signer leans his head to the side slightly, this adds further information - My interpretation of this message is: “don’t be a fool, just do it.”
7. the use of a neutral facial expression at the beginning adds to the seriousness of the message.
8. His overall body position and stance show he’s in a presentation mode/formal register.

Comments

[jadelennox]

my ASL is so bad that my correcting the constant spin around asl interpreters is limited to explaining that, no, really, the facial expressions serve a gramatical function, please stop reacting them like the interpreter is an adorable puppy. The Pamela Wright breakdown is awesome, though.

[sovay]

At the same time, the media spotlight prompted nonsigning viewers to transform him into a series of flying hands and bodily contortions for their own entertainment.

I hadn't known that was happening. It reminds me of the Downfall Hitler meme, which has only once not bothered me and that was thanks to Taika Waititi.

This tiny little GIF is an excellent example of at least 8 amazing ASL features!! Linguistics FUN!

That's great.

I am always impressed by people who are fluent with their bodies. It's still something I'm much better at describing than, I feel, doing.

[ironymaiden]

thanks for sharing, this is really interesting!

i've had some good conversations with a hearing ASL interpreter about expressiveness in sign and the equivalents of mumbling or whispering. we used to have an interpreting certification program here which has sadly closed.