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Signing the Body Poetic
Essays on American Sign Language Literature

by Edited by H-Dirksen L. Bauman, Jennifer L. Nelson, and Heidi M. Rose



      Poets throughout the ages have given the world their art through word and expressive art. For centuries, they have done everything imaginable to express their words in a more visual fashion, including poetry readings and musical accompaniment. It wasn’t until another form of language came along, however, that some poets believed they had found the "holy grail" of expressive literature.

American Sign Language, otherwise known as ASL, became a fast-growing method of communication in Deaf Culture. Soon, it became recognized as a language in its own right. Since then, the world of literature was opened up to a whole new form of expression and art.

Signing the Body Poetic is a collection of essays that expound on the massive impression ASL language and its literature has made on the world of art. The authors illustrate the importance of ASL poetry to the world of literature and how American Sign Language has given a new depth the expressive nature of poetry. From linguistics to drama, these authors give their readers a chance to see just how important ASL has become to the literary world and how its continued influence will help shape the concept of language and literature for years to come.

Signing the Body Poetic is an amazing read and the accompanying DVD allows the reader to get a true sense of how potent and breath-taking ASL literature and poetry has become. Being a writer and avid poetry fiend, I found this book shed new light on the true nature of language and how it has helped shape the human existence in so many ways.

ASL is a beautiful language filled with strong emotion and deep, fluid movements. After reading this, I’m sure others will agree that experiencing the intoxicating effects of ASL on literature is truly a remarkable event.

The Book

University of California Press / Dawnsign.com
December 20, 2006
Large Paperback
0520229762
Nonfiction / Deaf Poetry & Essays
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Carisa Weeaks
Reviewed 2007
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© 2006 MyShelf.com