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From: Arthur Lipscomb <arthur@alum.calberkeley.org>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv
Subject: Re: "Sinners" To Debut On Max As First Show With "Black American Sign
 Language" Translation
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2025 19:59:24 -0700
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On 7/2/2025 9:58 AM, shawn wrote:
> On Wed, 2 Jul 2025 16:22:07 -0000 (UTC), BTR1701 <atropos@mac.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> On Jul 2, 2025 at 1:30:48 AM PDT, "Ubiquitous" <weberm@polaris.net> wrote:
>>
>>> On July 4th, the movie SINNERS will become the first show to be interpreted
>>> into "Black American Sign Language (BASL)," per a press release from Warner
>>> Bros.
>>>
>>> The entertainment company described it as "a major step forward in
>>> accessibility, representation, and visibility in streaming."
>>>
>>> "BASL is a distinct dialect of American Sign Language (ASL) with its own
>>> dynamic history and unique grammar, signing space, rhythm, facial
>>> expressions, and cultural nuances," the release stated. "For the first time,
>>> the black deaf community will have streaming access to a more immersive
>>> experience in their language. Max subscribers, who sign in ASL but are
>>> unfamiliar with this dialect, will also be able to follow along with this
>>> interpretation."
>>
>> Oh my god. They actually made sign language ebonics.
>>
> 
> So this is something that didn't exist so there is no base of people
> who know it. 

I see this type of stuff posted in this group all the time and I usually 
just ignore.  But I'm bored so I'm going to speak up.

Black Sign language has existed since the 19th century.  The reason it 
exists is because White people refused to let Black people attend 
schools with them.  This was called segregation.  One of the results of 
segregation was separate schools for Black deaf people which resulted in 
divergent sign language.

And yes, Black deaf people today still use Black Sign Language.  There 
are many types of sign language in use today.  It's not just ASL. 
Someone who learns to sign outside the United States would learn their 
local sign language.

When I watch a movie either on disc or streaming, there are often 
multiple language options available to accommodate a wide audience who 
don't speak English.  And I don't think I've ever heard someone complain 
about that until now.  And of course the complaint would be targeted 
towards Black people.

Maybe next week someone will complain about French or Russian being 
offered and call that "ebonies," but somehow I doubt it.