The enchanting music of sign language | Christine Sun Kim

Artist Christine Sun Kim was born deaf, and she was taught to believe that sound wasn't a part of her life, that it was a hearing person's thing. Through her art, she discovered similarities between American Sign Language and music, and she realized that sound doesn't have to be known solely through the ears — it can be felt, seen and experienced as an idea. In this endearing talk, she invites us to open our eyes and ears and participate in the rich treasure of visual language.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[gregbarlow]

TED, please note that when you're filming someone who is using a visual language, don't cut to the Interpreter or the audience. As someone who is Deaf and wants to "hear" the talk for myself rather than reading the subtitles, I really would have appreciated being able to see a thumbnail of the speaker in the corner, or something like that, when cutting to different angles. Thanks!

[Zaetechan]

She's so eloquent! Her movements were fantastic *-*

[whoislily]

she's so beautiful and the way she expresses herself through her sign language is so elegant this was so interesting both to listen to and to watch

[deepashree]

Watch this video again but with no sound and subtitles. You notice so much more about her personality than you would with hearing the interpreters voice.

[lolttyl]

I love that she signed that you do not have to be deaf to learn asl, I am a hearing person but I fell in love with ASL after working with special education kids who used it to communicate. I have been studying it for a few years now and I am still in love, it is one of the most beautiful languages i have ever seen.

[nubianfx]

I know this isnt the biggest takeaway here, but i absolutely love her hair.

[alicemilne]

I just love the way Christine expresses herself. Very eloquent in sign language, great artistic talent. A thouroughly enjoyable talk that enriched me.

As an interpreter myself (vocal languages, not ASL), I very much appreciated the interpreter. I thought she did an excellent job!

[Kassidar]

I always though sign language should be part of kindergarten and primary school teachers' training and that they should sign what they're saying while they're saying it. In no time you'd have a generation who can sign as easily as they can speak.

[samiamisme]

Blown away. Such an eye opening message. Very intriguing concepts. I liked her metaphors and examples. She taught me about ASL, but music also. I've never studied music, but I understand what she's conveying. I also love her humor. She's very engaging. Nice interpreting as well.

[deejkdeejk]

I love the deaf community, they're such a loving, caring group of people.

[katieknish]

This is, by far, one of my favorite TED Talks. It was faaaascinating & she's SUCH an engaging speaker!

[caramelcoffees]

love her!! and the interpreter did a great job. i love that the audience knew to sign applause for Christine and then clapped for the interpreter

[allenquartermane]

I am soooo envious of the young man that captures her heart! After 55 years in music and that I play 11 instruments as well as have worked in major studios, I now understand why people tell me that when they watch my fingers or arms, it is like I am painting a picture for them. Throat cancer has robbed me of much of my hearing because the radiation left my ear drums full of liquid and had to be cut! Ouch! I have been deaf for two years and even now that the plugs came out, I still don't hear right so ASL is used by certain clerks who know it at various store I go to. In one way I am sorry to have gone through the cancer experience but in another way feel so blessed that it opened me up to a whole wonderful community of people that most will never be blessed by and enjoy their variation on life as this wonderful young lady here.

[charliecastillo]

As a Deaf person who played piano for at least a year and cello for nearly 7, I feel so giddy watching this TED Talk. I like her music metaphors that she uses to describe ASL.

[cassandrathomas]

I always felt like sign language should be taught in schools from the very first day, so that kids can pick it up easily and it becomes a second language for everyone.

[connermcintosh]

Just my personal opinion, I feel like the interpreter relied to heavily on the copy of the speech she was given. There were some amazing things she did and things she threw in that were lost in the interpretation and that sucks.

[JimmyGunawanX]

She is very charming and witty. Sometimes some people are really enchanting.

[KaytlinGomez]

This speech has not only empowered me threw motivation, but also for music, I'm thinking about it better. My cousin was born deaf, he was a bit crazy but I still love him; now it has been a year since I've last seen him and this gave me more motivation for school, home, learning ASL and a better love and understanding for music and English and the writing. And as of art it has also gave me a meaning, although I'm in 6th grade I can understand better because of what I've seen before and because I think for the future and what that is going to be like. This person is so amazing in words and emotion it almost makes it seem as if she were so close to you but so far away, I hope this comment gave you motivation to strive to better things. The funny thing is that my violin that I ordered came today. Hope you all a good future a and good luck in the present.

[sarahpreston]

She’s so expressive and inventive, and I can only hope that my hair and speaking skills will ever be that cool.

[thatpantransguy]

I was introduced to Christine Sun Kim’s artwork through my American Deaf Culture class. At first I didn’t understand the “p-tree” piece, but now it makes so much sense! I never thought of silence as something visual, but that’s probably the closest interpretation I can think of. Deaf Art and De’VIA (Deaf View Image Art) are some of my favorites. Chuck Baird and Betty Miller are really powerful Deaf artists as well.