Sign Song
Introduction
Sign Song - Intro
• Songs are poetry set to music
• Well interpreted songs not only are
conceptually accurate (sign what it really
means), but they also have an artistic
quality that is similar to ASL poetry.
Sign Song - Intro
• Well written songs have rhythm, rhyme,
alliteration / assonance as well as a
pleasing melody. This is why we enjoy
them.
• Well interpreted songs also have these
features.
• But how do you translate a sound quality
such as rhythm and rhyme?
Sign Song - Intro
• Well interpreted songs use handshapes
and balance. Often signs are altered
slightly to do this.
• This is not much different from how we
alter the pronunciation of words to fit the
music or make it rhyme.
• Other features of the music can be
captured with the rhythm and flow of the
signs.
This Land is Your Land
Handshapes 5, open-B, and Y
Gloss together in class.
This land is your land
This land is my land
From California to the New York islands
From the redwood forest to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me.
This land is your land
Right hand CL:5 (LAND) arc rt – lft
Rh B (YOURS) lft – rt (returning to side)
This land is my land
Left hand CL:5 (LAND) arc lft – rt
Lh B (MINE)
From California to the New York islands
CA. (with Y) place lower rt
NY place upper left.
From the redwood forest to the gulf stream waters
TREE+++ upper rt, WAVES 2 ‘5’ hands lower left.
This land was made for you and me.
LAND (2 ‘5’ hands) arc inward, EVERYONE (2 B hands)
arc outward.
This land is your land
Right hand CL:5 (LAND) arc rt – lft
Rh B (YOURS) lft – rt (returning to side)
This land is my land
Left hand CL:5 (LAND) arc lft – rt
Lh B (MINE)
From California to the New York islands
CA. (with Y) place lower rt
NY place upper left.
From the redwood forest to the gulf stream waters
TREE+++ upper rt, WAVES 2 ‘5’ hands lower left.
This land was made for you and me.
LAND (2 ‘5’ hands) arc inward, EVERYONE (2 B hands)
arc outward.
Let’s Practice
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaI5IRu
S2aE Woody Guthrie
How can we translate this…
Remember:
Limited handshapes
Balance of signs
Conceptually accurate
Groups of 3
• Take a look at me now
• There’s just an empty space
• And your coming back to me now
• Is against all odds
• A chance I have to take
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sd0W1RyMnE
1:29
Conceptual Accuracy
While there are many artistic ways to interpret a
song into ASL, the most important concept is to
have ‘Conceptual Accuracy.’
Many English words have multiple meanings. It is
imperative that you make sure you choose the
correct meaning of the word.
Examples:
• LIKE: I like you…you look like your mom..
• LAST: last week …..the last week….how long
will it last….
Conceptual Accuracy
Conceptual Accuracy applies to words….
And it also applies to the overall meaning of a statement or
expression.
Example:
• Take this job and shove it.
• Here is an example of a song that is intentionally
translated without conceptual accuracy.
• See if you can pick out the words that are translated
literally instead of accurately…
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7JaGoYdc_M
• I like big Butts
Conceptual Accuracy
• Songs have meaning for Deaf audience if they
are conceptually accurate.
• They lose all meaning if they are translated
literally (Signed English)
• Here is comedy example of a song that is a
mixture of Signed English, all fingerspelling and
ASL.
• Pay attention to the differences.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2nX41KvnNY
&feature=relmfu
Translation or Interpretation?
Translation means to take each word and
change it from the English word to the ASL
sign.
A good translation will be sure to pick the
right ASL sign that has the correct
meaning of the English word. (like, or like)
Conceptual Accuracy
A translation is considered to be Signed
English not ASL.
Translation or Interpretation?
Interpretation means to analyze the deeper
meaning of what is being said in English
and then choosing ASL signs that capture
that same meaning or intent.
A good interpretation will capture the “spirit
of the message.”
An interpretation is considered to be ASL.
The Rose
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wziPZP
3xsok
• Signed English (literal word translation)
• Beginning signer –
• How do I know?
• Small errors in sign parameters
• Good background and good dress
The Rose
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgyDj7s
BG4o
• Interpretation
• Conceptually accurate
• Paints a picture with classifiers
The Rose
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvApMy
hU99E
• Theatrical Interpretation
• Conceptually accurate
• Paints a picture with lots of classifiers
• Uses ‘same as’ 2 handed sign
• Difficult to see so far away
The Rose cont.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Doh2h6
hNw24
• BSL
• Can you understand some of the signs?
• Which ones?
Translation or Interpretation?
A translation of a song is not very difficult to do.
• All you have to do is look up each word and then
memorize the song and the signs you have chosen.
• This would be considered ASL 1 level of competency.
An interpretation, on the other hand required much thought.
• You have to first analyze the song lyrics for the deeper
meaning.
• You have to ask “What is the true spirit of this
message?”
• Then you need to choose your signs carefully to capture
that message and portray is in a poetic manner, paying
attention to chose of handshapes, rhythm and balance.
• This is considered to be ASL 2 and 3 level of
competency.
Translation or Interpretation?
Against All Odds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv2D27Vknyo
• Eng translation; some conceptual errors (a-t-a-l-l, nude)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqq9bYnnQyc
• ASL interpretation
Translation or Interpretation?
Somebody I Used to Know
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U92lcCNh1Q
• conceptually accurate signs in Eng word order. (need to
know English to really understand the song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFD0BwqMm6E
• ASL interpretation
• Would be very clear meaning without music
• Conveys spirit with facial expressions
• Boring during musical interludes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYtmG5UQ0Kc
• ditto
Translation or Interpretation?
Firework
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uqBTNguNKk
• Eng translation (6 feet, ah,ah,ah)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOEdqV5iRcY&feature=r
elmfu
• ASL -visual, signs a picture of the analogies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nByWHdu1pXY&feature
=mfu_in_order&list=UL
• ASL interpretation with poetic qualities.
Sign Song - Paint a Picture
• Traditional songs are frequently poetry set to music.
• In modern times, music has seen a trend to write a song
that “tells a story.”
• This is especially true for both Country and Urban music
genres.
• Likewise, another completely different way to give song
interpretation a flair is to adapt the qualities of “ASL
Story-Telling” to the song.
• A skilled interpreter can choose his signs not based on
the literal words of the song, but rather he will sign in a
way to paint a picture in the viewers mind.
• The focus of this style of song interpretation is to
“capture the spirit and mood” of the song.
Sign Song - Paint a Picture
Here is an excellent example of a song that
is interpreted with conceptual accuracy
and has lots of classifiers and mime
interwoven to ‘paint a picture’.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv48o5
gBWfA
Before He Cheats
Sign Song - Paint a Picture
• Here is another artist that is also very skilled in
capturing the ‘spirit of the message’ and painting
a picture with the interpretation.
• A deaf person would enjoy watching this song
and would definitely understand the meaning.
• If I were a boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&feature=r
elated&hl=en-GB&v=w33NCRHvaAY
Creative Interpretations
The next 2 songs are very poetic in the interpretation. They both use
lots of ASL signs that are usually only understood by those in the Deaf
community. (you won’t find them in ASL dictionaries)
Bleeding love
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&feature=related&
hl=en-GB&v=rKjBukqUCYg
Grenade
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ1aSQwBZ24
Great Interpretations
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BnZW
6go8e4
• Cry Me a River
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbGFwt
HMvto
• Heartless
Day 4
Repeated lyrics
• WHERE IS THE LOVE
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L5f9sMloUA
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hDBo6ca5RI
&feature=related
What not to do
• Watch without sound
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRQ1gg
3ZwOc
•
•
•
•
•
Boring?
Why?
Word for word – literal
Too many signs, repeated signs over and over
Back ground, dress
What not to do
• Thank you Olyvia
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCcI1QrR_U&list=UUq4nwGEyAhBf85nycgfV0A&index=5&feature=plcp
• Every breath you take
Musical interludes
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8FzGJf
sEZQ&feature=related
• Born this way
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5laIgaa
FJ8o thriller
Additional
Costumes
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC5tWu
j7qcI&feature=related fresh prince
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1Rttt5
BMXo&feature=related bad romance
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aow2xY
8_h8s&feature=related whole new world
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSBBA
DhmRaY&feature=related beauty and the
beast
Duets
• Telephone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaAVQHMZ_B4
great partnership
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Y26qsg09A&featur
e=related no air performance
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBZc8Urnfc0&feature
=related grease – you’re the one that I want
• Left and right handed signer• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCZkQ_s-Bdk I gotta
a feeling
Sign Song MTV
• Sign Song MTV is the common deaf name for
making sign song videos.
• With this style of interpreting, the signer not only
has to capture the meaning of the song with the
signs.
• There is also a considerable amount of ‘acting’
incorporated into the translation to add flavor to
the interpretation.
• This also requires the software and knowhow to
edit the video.
• Often times Deaf teens enjoy Sign Song MTV.
Sign Song MTV
• Break ya neck
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjHtn4A
BgcQ
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CleXbs
A3_ns&feature=relmfu price tag
Sign Song MTV
• Hero
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOiS0t
W-x_I&feature=related
• Beautiful
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6zVF
GpGNJQ
Super visual
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JR8qN
GIMM4&feature=related
• Bohemian rhapsody
Sign Song MTV
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEXVx
o5uQs0&feature=relmfu the middle
Excellent ASL signs and NMS’s
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEzhDT
vbZ4o&feature=related summer nights