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TSL | Taiwan Sing Language Gleaning
Role Playing in Taiwan Sign Language
When narrating a story, signers often assumes a character in the story as if he or she were involved. Sometimes, the signer narrates the story in first person. Sometimes, the signer plays multiple roles by switching from character A to character B, and with it, the facial expression, demeanor, gesture, and position (or rather, characters are distinguished by these qualities). A segment of narration may involve multiple character switches, something sign language readers should be aware of.
Example sentence
- He (Lao Wang) has persuaded him (apprentice) to get married. His apprentice said being married is hard so he doesn't want to get married. He loves freedom and he doesn't want to be bound up in a marriage. He said he wants to live like a monk for his whole life. I asked if he needs me to recommend somebody but he refused.
- He (Lao Wang) has been watching him. He praised him (the apprentice), saying that he is good. You have mentioned that he's good. You said that before.
- I can’t speak, let alone talking on the phone. So I clap my hands instead, and they get it. If it were other people, they’d be weirded out by the claps when they pick up the phone. That is why I only call them two. Only they know clapping means I’m inviting them over. This is only works for the three of us. It’s our secret signal.
- When he was studying, I had thought about being his coach. But since I thought he didn't know who I was at that time, I didn't put my thoughts into practice. After a while, he was out of school.
- Yes, Ms. Wu asked me if I could be her guarantor. I said no. I remember what she taught me and how kind she was to me but her family is bankrupt. She asked me to be a guarantor? Do you know what a guarantor is? She asked me if I could do that but I couldn't so I told her no. My wife asked me if I signed as Ms. Wu's guarantor and I told my wife that I didn't because I've heard of these things and so I rejected her.