As is consistent with the written and culturally accepted standard, “Deaf” is used to refer to a community, while “Deaf” is used to refer to a physiological state of being.
A few days ago, a good friend and fellow linguaphile posted a video on my Facebook wall of Shelby Mitchusson, a hearing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter translating Eminem’s anthemic “Lose Yourself,” signing with dramatic facial expression and full body motion as she attempts to convey the essence of Slim Shady. The video now has more than 3 million views.
In the fall of 2013, Amber Galloway Gallego became a YouTube sensation after video of her signing a Kendrick Lamar concert also garnered millions of views. Countless articles (here, here, here, and here, to cite a few) lauded Gallego's signing as “epic” and called her “a true inspiration.” Of course, what she’s doing is a service to the Deaf community. Music is something that all people, regardless of their hearing status, should be able to appreciate and understand, and to convey the rhythm and spirit of Kendrick Lamar into a form of expression the Deaf and Hard of Hearing can process is inherently valuable. Mitchusson and Gallego went viral because their videos are not simply a detached interpretation. They're excitingly interpretive.
But what are we really doing when we label ASL with words like "epic" or "cool"? We are exoticizing and trivializing it. ASL (and all sign languages--remember, there isn’t just one!) is a language every bit as much as English, with its own rules of grammar, its own syntax, morphology, phonology, and semantics. It is not “cool” or “interesting” or “awesome," but rather a practical and evolving way of communicating that deserves as much respect as any spoken language. To share a video of someone signing with the caption “look how cool this is!” perpetuates the misconception that sign languages are somehow different, a kind of sideshow novelty at which to marvel... Read More.
Subscribe Amber Galloway Gallego Channel - https://youtube.com/1stopforasl
Related Amber Galloway Gallego:
ASL Terp: Stop Calling Sign Language 'Cool'
ASL Terp Shares About 'Hearing Privilege'
ASL Terp Rocks The Guinness World Record
How ASL Innovators Brings Music To The Deaf
The ASL Terp Fiasco of Amber Galloway Gallego
Related Terps Goes Viral:
Deaf Interpreter Goes Viral On Social Media
Houston's ASL Interpreter Steals The Show
Sign Language Interpreter Goes Viral During Ebola Press Conference
Lydia Callis: Bloomberg's Interpreter Goes Viral
De Blasio's Deaf Interpreter Steals Spotlight
Cyclone Sign Language Guy Goes Viral
Eurovision Sign Language Interpreter Is A Web Hit
ASL Lyrics Interpretation Video Clip Goes Viralt
Daughter Signs Rock Lyrics To Deaf Dad
Related Terps Parodies/Spoofs:
SNL Spoofs Fake Sign Language Interpreter Skit
Your Jokes About Bloomberg's Sign Language Interpreters Aren't Funny
'SNL' Opening Skit Puts Sign Language Interpreter Front & Center
Marlee Matlin Upset Over 'SNL' Sign Language Skit
ASL Interpreters Mocking Video Compilation
Lydia Callis, Bloomberg Interpreter Goes Viral
Related Fake Interpreter:
Deaf Outraged Over Fake Sign Language Interpreter At Mandela Memorial
Marlee Matlin Reacts To The 'Fake' Interpreter
NAD Says 'Fake' Interpreter Signing Gibberish
Real Interpreter of the Nelson Mandela Memorial
I'm Schizophrenic, Says 'Fake' Interpreter
'Fake' Sign Language Interpreter Defends Himself
ASL Morning Message: 'Fake Interpreter'
#FakeInterpreter - Rights For Deaf Children
Deaf Advocates Asks Europe Union For Interpreter Standards
