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> Three, they're limited versus voice. Voice has soft and loud and more sounds can be made than variations of hands. I agree with your first two points, but I
by kerkeslager 6y ago
> Three, they're limited versus voice. Voice has soft and loud and more sounds can be made than variations of hands.
I agree with your first two points, but I have to disagree with you on this third point. Mute your computer and check out the way she provides emphasis in this[1], or the way Lydia Callis signs so expressively[2]. Large motions are like loud exclamations, smooth, slow motions are like a crooning voice, etc. People who sign have a "voice"--a style of signing. Signing without any sort of emphasis or expression is the sign equivalent of speaking in a monotone, and can actually make it harder to understand someone, because these elements communicate a lot of meaning, just as intonation and volume communicate meaning in speech.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P_4D26hApY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P_4D26hApY
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5w09Po5bLA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5w09Po5bLA
- ntsplnkv2 6y agoOf course - I never said there was no expression in sign language. But I don't think that expression has as many degrees of freedom as using voice. Plus as the article said - it's tiresome.
- kerkeslager 6y agoshrug I suppose it's a bit silly to argue over a spectrum of expression, but I'd say that the Lose Yourself video shows someone communicating in sign with a level of expressiveness that verbal speakers rarely achieve. Now granted, that's comparing an above-average signer to average speakers, so it's not a fair comparison. Perhaps a better comparison would be between the signer and the original artist (Eminem). But if advanced signers can compete with advanced speakers for expressiveness, I think it's hard to argue that sign is less expressive.