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South Korean boy band BTS’s usage of sign language into their July 2021 “Permission to Dance” music video received worldwide acclaim. In particular, the group was applauded for including International Sign Language (ISL), American Sign Language (ASL) and Korean Sign Language (KSL) within their performance. The video’s choreography features signs for the words “enjoy,” “dance,” and “peace.”

The music video is set within the post-pandemic world, in which the band members are viewed dancing in various locations including a laundromat, a sunny location, and a patio. The sign language used in “Permission to Dance” takes place at the end of the song, whereby all of the band members collectively sing “na, na, na.”

To make certain that the meaning of “Permission to Dance” was clear, BTS and their team of choreographers paid special attention to the details into their signing. BTS’ entertainment company representative Big Hit Music stated, “After choosing keywords and symbolic gestures, we turned that into choreography. And we went through a process of holding many discussions with experts [including Deaf people and sign language interpreters] to make sure the meaning was coming across.”

The experts the band consulted highlighted the value of such expressions in doing sign language. As an example, the sign for “enjoy” also conveys “welcome.” So, to unambiguously correspond the lyric with regards to “enjoy” to their Deaf and Hard-of-hearing fans, the band had to express happiness on their faces.

Response of Deaf Children Who Watched the Music Video

The YouTube channel Deaf BTS recently published a video of children’s responses to the “Permission to Dance” music video. In the past, the channel has released other videos where they have performed sign language for a number of BTS songs. This time around, a group of Deaf children fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) were shown reacting to the music video whilst sitting on the floor.

One particular girl was actually taken aback when she saw BTS member J-Hope performing in ASL, and shared an emotional reaction. She signed, “I’m stunned. That’s ASL ‘dance!’ They signed ‘dance.’ How’d they do that?” She added, “They signed ‘dance’! Cool. They signed ‘dance’ twice. Just like here in the US. I’m gonna pass out.” The enthusiastic girl then pretended to pass out by dramatically dropping forward on to the floor.

When the other youngsters also realized what the band was doing, they could not believe that BTS had used American Sign Language in their performance. One girl wondered pertaining to when the group members had learned ASL.

The Video’s Positive Outcomes From Utilizing ASL

By making use of sign language within their choreography the group gave the youngsters and numerous other Deaf or Hard of hearing (D/HoH) sign language individuals world wide a sense of greater inclusion in mainstream culture. Such thoughtful acts by celebrities and other public figures make members of the D/HoH community feel like they’re being heard and seen by the much larger community.

BTS’s utilization of sign language is also boosting awareness of the D/HoH culture among hearing people. The fans were also tremendously astounded by the sign language incorporated into the “Permission to Dance” choreography.. One particular fan wrote on Twitter, “You know what’s cool? The motion that they were doing for ‘dance’ is the actual sign for ‘dance’ in American Sign Language.”

Such comments suggest that “Permission to Dance” can help lessen the preconception with regards to the Deaf and Hard of hearing in our culture. They also deliver hope to the D/HoH community by exhibiting that hearing people are wanting to acknowledge them and their language as equals. In this way, the video is an essential steppingstone toward a more significant inclusion and acceptance of D/HoH people in mainstream modern society.

If your desire was to learn American Sign Language (ASL) in the 1800’s fewer educational organizations could offer more value than Oklahoma State University.

In the fall of 2021, OSU expanded its American Sign Language (ASL) major into a bachelor's degree program, a critical step for students who want to study signing and possibly teach ASL in the United States or around the world. The move was also a significant step forward for the D/HoH community, which has long been under-resourced by both the public and private sectors. Previously, ASL was only available as a minor at OSU. Dr. Woodall-Greene, who was then an adjunct professor nearing completion of her doctorate, applied for the position. Dr. Woodall-Greene was chosen as the program's tenure track professor.

OSU’s ASL Bachelor’s Degree Program is Hands-on

Once accepted, required classes such as American Sign Language I, II, and III develop students' receptive and expressive skills in real-world situations and introduce various aspects of Deaf Culture, such as finger spelling, numbers, classifiers, and facial expressions. The various accents and idiomatic features of sign language are also taught. Following courses in the program include Interpreting Concepts in American Sign Language, Linguistics of American Sign Language, and American Sign Language Poetry, all of which help students learn more about ASL grammar, idioms, linguistics, and other topics.

American Sign Language Majors Can Use Their Skills in a Wide Variety of Fields

After gaining a broad background in ASL through these courses, students who major in ASL at Oklahoma State University can follow countless academic and career paths. They can double major and work at obtaining a job in a different field such as electronic media, or possibly become interpreters in the business world, the military, the government, or other areas.

As Dr. Woodall-Greene says, “The overall goal for our degree is fluency, native-like fluency, and from there the sky’s the limit. You can use this language in anything.”

Qualified Deaf ASL Instructors Enhance OSU’s Inclusivity

Part of the inclusivity at OSU results from the rising number of people learning ASL on campus, and also Deaf and Hard of Hearing students having the chance to be taught by competent and experienced Deaf professors.

We are practicing what we preach, we’re bringing in people who are native to this language and native to the culture, and that are able to teach and instill a passion in people who are taking basic level courses.”

A Bachelor’s in Interpretation May be the Next Step for ASL at OSU