Signing a Story

[Daniel Bishop, the Storyteller]

I was just talking with my wife about how to increase my storytelling range, and we talked about American Sign. How many of you tell stories in sign? and How many venues are out there calling for signed stories?

[Astorymouse]

Kat, if you read this I would love to know just a little of what he is saying - can you interpret any? Even just the first? I would be fascinated to understand what each movement means.. thanks steph

[Astorymouse]

Just for interest' sake, I read a book by Oliver Sacks who is a superb writer and consultant neurologist. The book is called "Seeing voices" and is his examination of the world of the deaf and ASL. As you say, the deaf world is a wonderfully full and visual world - more so that us "normals". There is more "extension" within signing than within normal speech, as space is possible within signing.

I quote " The single most remarkable feature of Sign- that which distinguishes it from all other languages and mental activities is its unique use of space. The complexity of this linguistic space is quite overwhelming for the "normal" eye which cannot see, let alone understand the sheer intricacy of its spatial patterns."