Clint Barton sketch. He’s signing “deaf” since, in some verse, he is in fact deaf. I support this not only because it’s enabling to have a super hero that has a disability and STILL kicks ass, but also to show support to the deaf community. I went to school for American Sign Language and appreciate a lot that the culture has to offer. I support Deaf Clint!
Reader Chris passes along an article about differences in American Sign Language usage between white and African-American signers. Researchers investigating what they call Black ASL found significant variations in signs, signing space, and facial cues. They explain:
Black ASL is not just a slang form of signing. Instead, think of the two signing systems as comparable to American and British English: similar but with differences that follow regular patterns and a lot of variation in individual usage.
They hypothesize that these differences began in segregated learning environments, and continue to evolve in Black social spaces. The whole article is worth a read.
Thanks, Chris, and remember — you can submit Wonk-worthy links through our ask or via email!
ETA, 9/24/12: Many of you have brought up the use of the word “mainstream” in this infographic. Better choices definitely exist, since this word rings of othering. We appreciate your nuanced and attentive readership!
Black folks got they own vernacular in asl also. You learn something new everyday.
As much as I love deaf Clint Barton, I don’t know enough about ASL (grammar in particular) to do it justice just now — it’s one of those things I’d love to research-and-write, but the “research” portion can sometimes take a while.
(I do have a bit in my drafts where Bruce finds out Clint is hearing impaired hard of hearing (sorry, my bad!) and asks him out to dinner in basically one fell swoop, but Bruce’s signing, like mine, is restricted to the ASL alphabet.)
Clint has given each Avenger a name in sign language. Thor is the letter ‘T’ in the motion of a hammer. Steve is a salute with an “R”. Hulk is an “H” over the bicep, but Bruce is the sign for doctor followed by the letter “B”. Natasha is an “N” being shot from his other wrist like a widow bite. His own name is a “C” being drawn back like a bow. Stark is an “S” taking flight, unless Barton is mad at him, then he fingerspells “A.S.” for Anthony Stark, but accidentally on purpose adds a second “S”.
actually this is how giving names work in sign language! usually you sign the first letter of the persons name and a motion that summarises them as a person, or something that reminds you of them!
A.S.
s
Well, really, from what I’ve gathered it actually varies on how giving names works. I’ve seen the “first letter of your name as a sign that describes you” but then some Deaf communities say absolutely not, you don’t do that, they just get a sign or two that together in context mean that person. So (again, from what I’ve been able to research) it depends. Some people would find this way of naming people 100% accurate and some people would find it 100% INaccurate.
Hydra Steve!Clone and the Winter Soldier in the battle field.
Headofporridge suggested the clone cannot speak because Hydra surgically removed his vocal cords after the Winter Soldier “malfunctioned” and fatally wounded a lot of their staff due to the sound of the clone’s voice. Either way, he probably uses a combination of ASL and military signing on the field because it is imperative they both remain unseen and unheard.
I like the idea of Clone!Steve being the sniper and the Winter Soldier the brutal force, because eeee role reversals. Also, the Winter Soldier seems less built for stealth and more for absolute carnage, with the guns and machinery he’s packing. It stands to reason the weaker and smaller (for now) Clone!Steve would be his backup from afar, fatally silencing anyone who sees the Winter Soldier.
ALL THE SIGN LANGUAGE/ASL/NONVERBAL HEAD CANONS. ALL OF THEM.
I really appreciated all the little nods to Clint’s deafness in this issue. I’m glad other writers are acknowledging it and it’s not just a temporary thing in Fraction’s run. I also enjoy the fact that Wade apparently knows sign language.
knitting in the dark 