Conference looks at impact of technology on storytelling in ASL

From a National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, N.Y., press release:

For generations, Deaf artists and poets relied on personal connections to tell their stories. But advancement in technology through blogs or video "vlogs" has changed the way their message can now be spread.

A first-of-its-kind conference, made possible by a grant from the New York Council for the Humanities, will discuss how changing technology is affecting storytelling in American Sign Language in the Deaf community.

More than 400 people are expected to attend the symposium, "Redefining the Literary Expressions of Deafhood: The Impact of the Digital Age," Oct. 3 and 4 at RIT/NTID.

The conference will trace the emergence of Deaf/ASL literature and explore its roots in the works of contemporary Deaf poets, storytellers, bloggers and vloggers. Scholars, creative artists and the public will discuss the way modern technology is affecting narratives previously passed on in person with American Sign Language. It will also offer a rare opportunity to see live works of Deaf performers.

"The ultimate goal of the conference is to provide entertainment and education about literary traditions of Deaf people," said Pamela Conley, the conference organizer and an associate professor at RIT/NTID. "The general audience will view sign language performances. As technology changes, it impacts Deaf/ASL literature - we will explore Deaf/ASL literature by considering its history, current perspectives and future trends."

Deaf discourses have the potential of contributing to the American mainstream by greatly enhancing visual elements of traditional rhetorical forms. And while technology may enable the works to be seen by larger audiences, it could also isolate deaf and hearing people, if hearing people become less likely to socialize with deaf people if they have greater access to ASL videos.

Keynote speakers include Christopher Krentz, an assistant professor of English and ASL at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, who has authored publications on ASL storytelling and poetry, Deaf history and Deaf culture; and Kristen Harmon, an English professor at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., who has authored scholarly and creative publications on Deaf writing.

The symposium is free and open to the public, but participants should register by Oct. 1. To register, visit: http://www.ntid.rit.edu/friends/lean_reg.php. For more information contact: deafnarratives@ntid.rit.edu.