Abstract
This paper will offer a brief introduction to the mechanisms and discourse strategies used in American Sign Language (ASL) storytelling. H-Dirkson L. Bauman lists many features of spoken language storytelling that have parallels in ASL storytelling. The ASL story “A Gift for My Mother” performed by Peter S. Cook will be analyzed for motifs, meta-narrational devices, para-narrational devices, parallelism, and repetition. Comparisons between the storytelling devices used by ASL signer- tellers and spoken language non-signer tellers will be provided. Features specific to storytelling in ASL, such as kinetic movement and the use of visual vernacular, will also be discussed.
[Note: Appendices include a translation of the story "Mother's Birthday"]
Recommended Citation
Cook, Peter S.
(2011)
"Features in American Sign Language Storytelling,"
Storytelling, Self, Society: Vol. 7:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/storytelling/vol7/iss1/3