Re: "Sinners" To Debut On Max As First Show With "Black American Sign Language" Translation

On 2025-07-17 02:59:24 +0000, Arthur Lipscomb said:

On 7/2/2025 9:58 AM, shawn wrote:

On Wed, 2 Jul 2025 16:22:07 -0000 (UTC), BTR1701 <atropos@mac.com>
wrote:

On Jul 2, 2025 at 1:30:48 AM PDT, "Ubiquitous" <weberm@polaris.net> wrote:

On July 4th, the movie SINNERS will become the first show to be interpreted into "Black American Sign Language (BASL)," per a press release from Warner Bros.
 The entertainment company described it as "a major step forward in
accessibility, representation, and visibility in streaming."
 "BASL is a distinct dialect of American Sign Language (ASL) with its own
dynamic history and unique grammar, signing space, rhythm, facial
expressions, and cultural nuances," the release stated. "For the first time, the black deaf community will have streaming access to a more immersive experience in their language. Max subscribers, who sign in ASL but are unfamiliar with this dialect, will also be able to follow along with this interpretation."

 Oh my god. They actually made sign language ebonics.

 So this is something that didn't exist so there is no base of people
who know it.

 I see this type of stuff posted in this group all the time and I usually just ignore.  But I'm bored so I'm going to speak up.
 Black Sign language has existed since the 19th century.  The reason it exists is because White people refused to let Black people attend schools with them.  This was called segregation.  One of the results of segregation was separate schools for Black deaf people which resulted in divergent sign language.

Still doesn't make it sensible though. They should have taught everybody in all the schools for the deaf the same US sign language*. Presumably they did all learn the same mathematics, spelling, etc. So why single sign language out as different versions?
* Of course, there will  now be a pile of nutty conspiracy theories that black deaf people were purposely taught a different version to "keep them in their place" ... or that black deaf people were taught a different version so they could keep conversations secret from their "white oppressors" ... or ...  :-\

And yes, Black deaf people today still use Black Sign Language.  There are many types of sign language in use today.  It's not just ASL. Someone who learns to sign outside the United States would learn their local sign language.
 When I watch a movie either on disc or streaming, there are often multiple language options available to accommodate a wide audience who don't speak English.  And I don't think I've ever heard someone complain about that until now.  And of course the complaint would be targeted towards Black people.
 Maybe next week someone will complain about French or Russian being offered and call that "ebonies," but somehow I doubt it.