Writing Question

[Ponyfan]

Just wondering if you're writing a story about a character that uses sign language to communicate, how to do write it so the reader understands that the character is using sign language?

Ponyfan

[Pokeyonekenobie]

Just wondering if you're writing a story about a character that uses sign language to communicate, how to do write it so the reader understands that the character is using sign language?

Ponyfan

You could put it in italics--kind of like this:

Why are you doing this? Sophie signed.

Why wouldn't I do this? Ralph signed back.  It's my dream!

But what if it's a scam?

And what if it's my only chance?


I think if you identify that they're signing then you can just go ahead and go back and forth like we do with speaking lines.  If they're speaking and signing at the same time, you should specify that, too.

"Everyone come over here!  I have some announcements!" the Camp Counselor yelled, signing largely at the same time so he could be seen from the other side of the clearing.  Once everyone was assemled he continued, "Tonight we're going to make s'mores!"  He signed delicious and grinned at his four deaf campers.

[Taffeta]

You could also add some accents to that, so if you think of signed as the equivalent of said, you might talk about tone of voice in how the fingers are moving - spikily, fluttering, quickly, slowly, etc. I'm not being super specific here and obviously you wouldn't want to do it all the time as it would be too much, but instead of the character 'shouting' at someone, they might use staccato hand movements to indicate their displeasure.

[Ponyfan]

Thanks Pokeonekenobie and Taffeta.

I'm assuming it would be the same if the characters are communicating through writing (using italics and making sure it's clear that they are writing) instead of using sign language.


I really like the idea of incorporating tone of voice in the way they are signing too.


Ponyfan