Signplaying

Finally, the Raven enters!

This is an ASL translation of the seventh stanza in Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem “The Raven”:

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Image description and ASL gloss are in the comment section.

TRANSCRIPT: I want to clarify why I feel that my costume isn’t going to work. When you see me in this costume, do you automatically lock me in one character? Because in my signing, I do roleshift into different characters like an angel, bird, etc. (Demo signing showing myself in a chair, then an angel walking then a raven with demon eyes, then Lenore with her face shining). Do you clearly see those other characters — because my costume locks me in one character. What are your thoughts?

Which is better? (With or without the hat.)

I may be posting more of “The Raven” signing. If I do, maybe I’ll also perform in a costume. Please vote which costume best fits Poe, or 1800s men in general. Choices are

#1 (Nightside Vampire)
#2 (Gomez Addams) - IGNORE MAKEUP
#3 (Victor Van Dort) - IGNORE MAKEUP
#4 (Victorian Vampire)

Let me know!

Is it better to have the English subtitles on top of the screen (like this video) or on the bottom like previous videos?

“Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore…”

Stanza 6 of “The Raven” is translated into ASL. (English voiceover credit to voxally , a service by actual ASL interpreters who do voiceover of ASL videos.)

Image description, English stanza, and ASL gloss are in the comment section.

Making up a song about Coraline …

ASL translation of “Other Father’s Song” (excerpt) from the movie Coraline. This video includes ASL gloss and a metronome.

Image description, English lyrics, and ASL gloss are in the comment section.

DEAF GAIN: Not having to deal with echoes in a dark hallway. Poor Poe.

“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe — stanza 5 is translated into ASL! I may do all 18 stanzas throughout October.

English voiceover credited to voxally (actual ASL interpreters who do voiceover of ASL videos).

Image description, English stanza, and ASL gloss are in the comment section.

“I scarce was sure I heard you” — I’m Deaf! Good thing I won’t be answering that faint tapping at my chamber door. Poe, on the other hand …

“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe — stanza 4 is translated into ASL! I may do all 18 stanzas throughout October.

English voiceover credited to voxally

Image description, English stanza, and ASL gloss are in the comment section.

Belated International Translation Day! I was too busy dealing with “some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door. This is it and nothing more …”

“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe — stanza 3 is translated into ASL! I may do all 18 stanzas throughout October.

English voiceover is credited to voxally . Image description, English stanza, and ASL gloss are in the comment section.

It was in the bleak December …

This is an ASL translation of the second stanza of Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem “The Raven”. I may do all 18 stanzas throughout October.

Image description, English stanza, and ASL gloss are in the comment section.