ASL poetry

ASL poetry

Day1 Analyze written poems

ASL Poetry notes

• ASL poetry is much like our poetry it is done at Deaf events, social gathering and festivals.

• ASL poetry is a way for the Deaf to express themselves. It covers different themes/topics just like Deaf art.

• Deaf/ ASL poetry has been passed on “visually" from generation to generation until the creation of video technology in the 1970s.

• ASL poetry is performed and must be seen in order to appreciate the full meaning. Written or oral translations simply do not capture all of what is expressed by the poet.

• Poems can also be written in English and translate into ASL, these can be poems from hearing or D/deaf people.

English vs ASL poetry

• They read their poems out loud

• Make eye contact with audience

• You hear different sounds and rhythm

• They write them down before preforming.

• While reading they set a tone to the poem so people can feel/ understand the meaning.

• Use of elements: rhythm, rhyme, stanza, meter and repetition 

English vs ASL poetry

• Poems are signed to the audience

• Make Eye contact with audience 

• Not written down

• Signers are animated with their “words” to set the tone 

• Use of: handshapes, facial expression, body language, gestures, and classifiers

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Poetic Terms

Line

Stanza

Meter

Rhyme

Rhythm

While reading think about:

1. What is this poem about?

2. Where do you see the poetic elements of: rhymes, rhythms? etc

3. Why do you think certain poetic elements where chosen?

4. What is your reaction to this poem? ( how does it make you feel)