Lost in Translation

Experience the beautiful minds of individuals lost in the everyday translations of life.

Blame it on the turkey burger. The delicious side of honey mustard…Partnered with fries and organic ketchup. Or maybe the abundance of artwork drizzled throughout the establishment. No, I remember. It was the undeniable kinetic energy that a group of us felt as we entered into a Washington D.C. restaurant, Busboys and Poets.

After being seated in the back, we quickly noticed that the room was continually more quiet than normal. But this factor was not due to the lack of action taking place in the room. Upon further review, we noticed that something was happening. Something special. Some revolutionary. Something real. The night continued, not void of remarkable displays of creativity, as our group looked on in awe. We seemed to be the only patrons that had not expected this outburst, or the pure and sheer genius at work.

We quickly discussed what was happening during a brief break between performers. After looking down at the events section of the menu, I noticed that I had omitted a major point about the event that I was witnessing. Three letters. A. S. L. American Sign Language. ASL is the predominant sign language of deaf communities in the United States, while also having strong footholds in West and Central Africa, and Southeast Asia.

“How could I have missed this?” I thought to myself.

“This isn’t for me”…

Why would I think such a thing? Not for me? There was singing…I love singing! Spoken (signed) word…Ding! Ding! Ding! I’m a fan! I mean I grew up playing the bongos! How could I not like spoken word? And I cannot leave out the dance presentations. I felt like Chris Brown during some of those performances.

I quickly rounded up the manager of the establishment, and proposed an idea to him. He excitedly agreed and a month later, we were in full production mode, ready to tell one of the most beautiful stories that I have ever experienced.

This project really impacted my perspectives pertaining to communication. The individuals that I had the opportunities to work with were so open and willing to share their stories with the world. They were so accepting of life and what they could offer to it. The ideas of being accepted were so prominent, which is a characteristic that all of us can relate to. And why not? How many problems can be solved with basic principles of acceptance of all people? Especially, when the acceptance is based on no more than everyday principles that we all live within. That night definitely was for me. Although the night was presented for ASL, highlighting deaf individuals, I was able to hear their message, loud and clear.

a Steven Mitchell experiment