DEAF JAM BLOG VIDEO #1
The video clip poses a question regarding translation for ASL poetry. The clip opens with an excerpt from Doug Ridloff's piece, "ASL Knock Out (KO)." The structure of "ASL KO" is based on ABC stories in deaf culture where the structure follows the order of the alphabet and each letter represents a character or action. Doug is using a two character structure in "ASL KO." His body shifts indicate character number 1 or character number 2. "ASL KO" opens with Doug using the letter A hand shape to represent the "1st" opponent punching. The "2nd" opponent receives a punch by using the A hand shape again back towards his body. Next, you see, Doug using the letter B to represent the 2nd opponent's feet slipping backward. (Look carefully at how he uses the B to slip back). The letter C represents the 2nd opponent's eyes blurring. Letter D represents the "2nd" opponent bouncing back from the ropes. He uses the flat open palm of his second hand behind "D" and the palm represents the ropes. The letter E is the first opponent "dancing" in the ring. The letter G represents the sweat coming down the face of the 1st opponent. The letter H represents the "second" opponent falling down to the mat in slow motion.
The clip then goes into a discussion about translation. Let us know your thoughts!
5 comments:
Wow, Interesting!!
thanks for share!
How would the court terps, terp this? How would the judges understand the whole concept a deaf defend is trying to tell them!! Who's responsible is it to translate this? defendant or the Terp????
A court interpreter would be present. An interpreter would interpret what the deaf defendant is saying to the Court Reporter (who jots everything down on the record) and the Judge by translating what the deaf defendant indicates into English. The other side of it would be that anything said in court by any other non-deaf person would be translated/signed to the deaf defendant (or party) by the translator. People are hired solely to translate, in all languages, in court. There are strict guidelines to become a court interpreter, along with certain certifications.
Art is extremely hard to interpret in many forms. For example, as a hearing person I've listened to opera that was written for a language I didn't understand, and enjoyed it as music; when it was rewritten in English, even though I understood the words, I didn't enjoy it as much, because the flow of the words no longer matched the music. (Most Italian opera does NOT translate to English well, for example.)
I think if hearing people want to attend this type of poetry jam, it would be a good idea to have some kind of document explaining the concept; or perhaps you could have a video in the lobby giving examples so we know what to look for. But I wouldn't interrupt the performance itself.
Being hearing (knowing ASL) I understand the need for interpreters. A good compromise might be to sign it once, with no interpreting, so you can feel his voice, and then to go back & sign it again with interpreting to appeal to everyone. People who dont understand any of what is said not only loose its significance but will also usually lose interest.
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