accents

During the free summer concert series we have here in town, there is always a sign language interpreter. It's sort of a funny concept, but I can understand how it would help some people enjoy the event. Actually, I think it helps many people enjoy the event who aren't hearing impaired. Two women alternate the duties. Many of the artists will comment on the interpreter or play with her in a friendly way, repeating certain words to see the signs. Generally there is a positive, if somewhat puzzled, reaction by the artists.

I like to watch the interpreter. Though I don't know the language, sometimes the "sound" of the words is pretty in that language and adds to the enjoyment of the auditory portion of the music.

When we went to see Trombone Shorty the other night I noticed something I hadn't seen before. The interpreter I'm most familiar with was speaking with an accent! She was using her language differently. Just as Shorty was funking things up for the hearing audience, she was funky it up for the hearing impaired. Her signs had this slide to them. Well, not slide. They had funk. They were so dripping with funk you could almost hear James Brown coming out of her hands.

It's really nice to get to experience a true professional doing their thing. I got to see one in brass and one in hands.