Interpreting concerts and music into American Sign Language

Have you ever been at a conference, school event or presentation and found yourself riveted by the American Sign Language interpreter’s intricate hand and arm movements? Imagine seeing a song interpreted into ASL.

You may have seen the ASL interpretation of the National Anthem, but some interpreters have found a way to express other forms of music (including rock music) through gestures and facial expressions.

Public Radio International featured an American Sign Language interpreter who explained what exactly goes into the interpretation of music, from movements of the hands, body and face.

American Sign Language uses intensity of hand movements and various facial expressions to show the mood of the music as well as the excitement of the concert audience.

In a nine-minute radio interview, ASL interpreter Aaron Malgeri explains how he has interpreted concerts for artists such as Bob Dylan and Aerosmith: Public Radio feature.