that the character has greeted you in the camera and other listeners in his presence off camera. He
then talks to you and with others to allow you to follow his dialogues and learn about his character.
These audience participants are imaginary according to the monologue. Please view the video of
Clarence's technique and for the content of his monologue as shown below.
(Click here)
“Reproduced with permission from Sam Supalla”
Source: ASL Vista Project. (1991). Short stories in American Sign Language [Video; VHS]. The Supalla Family.
When I looked through Clarence's work carefully, it was apparent that it revolves around one
main theme: the importance of socialization in ASL for deaf people. Please note that his formal
schooling began at age 19 at a school for the deaf and ended two years later due to his mature age.
In his story, the farm-hand character is confined to working on the family farm. It is only once a year
for Christmas that his older brother (who apparently takes over the farm from the deceased parents)
allows this deaf farm-hand to borrow his car and drive to the deaf club. Loneliness understandably
becomes a factor here as the deaf farm-hand is not allowed to socialize with other deaf people using
ASL at any other times during the year. The monologue hints at the deaf farm-hand being exploited
for his labor by his older brother who is hearing. While the farm-hand is not married, he also admits
that he has no idea about finding employment other than working on the family farm.
More ideas and feelings follow through Clarence's monologue. The deaf farm-hand character
appears to be so excited to be in the deaf club. However, he is not well-educated (as he had trouble
fingerspelling some words in English, for example). His ASL vocabulary is also slightly impaired due
to his lack of socialization with deaf people. The fact that the farm-hand could not understand the
sign BOOZE when told that he could get some at the club is troubling. The farm-hand also keeps
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The Power of ASL 3
Summer 2020 – Issue 18