ASL poetry

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.

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 

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