Oh my.

Hey folks, long post incoming. Someone recently pointed out that ASL is a more blunt language than some of the dialogue might suggest, and thus the phrasing seems a bit inauthentic to how the characters would actually speak. For example, a more literal translation of Emily’s line “Where’d you learn to sign?” would be “You learn sign where?”, and though Adrienne’s dialogue is in fact being said verbally (in her occasionally flowery fashion), a lot of her lines would be heavily simplified or altered in the accompanying signs (pseudonym, patronizing, etc.).

This is very true, and I apologize for any inadequacies in the execution. My essential thought process for ASL dialogue in Chroma Key is that I would like it to feel authentic while also translating what is said in a way that reads clearly and doesn’t feel like a crude oversimplification. So much of signed communication is in expressions and nuances that are lost on the hearing, and doing justice to this complexity is often difficult in text format. Therefore, much like with any language, I aim to communicate the essence of what is being said, even if the literal phrasing doesn’t always match up.

If you are d/Deaf, HoH, and/or a fluent speaker of ASL and my attempt at a solution does not work for you, please let me know! I am open to amending the speech bubbles to something that looks more natural to your eye. I also confess that I personally am not fully fluent in ASL, and while I cross-reference extensively between multiple ASL resources, I fully acknowledge that I may make mistakes. If anything does not sit right with you, I am always open to criticism and alternate suggestions.

Thank you so much as always for reading! Just one more page of Emily and Adrienne, then we’re off to catch up with Fuchsia. After that… our story truly begins.