GBH Documentaries
Signs from the Mainland
Special | 18m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
On Martha’s Vineyard, Jeffrey Mansfield traces a unique history where everyone spoke in sign.
Starting in the early 1700s, genetic deafness took a foothold on Martha’s Vineyard, where as many as one in four residents were deaf and most hearing neighbors signed in an early precursor to modern American Sign Language. This short film explores the deeper meaning and lessons to be learned from this unique enclave where deaf and hearing individuals coexisted seamlessly.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
GBH Documentaries is a local public television program presented by GBH
GBH Documentaries
Signs from the Mainland
Special | 18m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
Starting in the early 1700s, genetic deafness took a foothold on Martha’s Vineyard, where as many as one in four residents were deaf and most hearing neighbors signed in an early precursor to modern American Sign Language. This short film explores the deeper meaning and lessons to be learned from this unique enclave where deaf and hearing individuals coexisted seamlessly.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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[Deep rumble growing] [Harsh wintery wind howls and whistles] [Distant boat horn blasts] ♪ Dream-like synth wash builds ♪ [Distant boat horn blasts] [Waves rumbling against shore] [Cars wooshing by] [All sound cut to silence] [The low rumble of the car interior returns] [Car passes quietly into the distance] [Distant winter birds chirp] ♪ Musical rhythmic stabs ♪ ♪ Large thunderous drum in rhythm ♪ [Waves rushing] ♪ Ethereal vocal harmony swells and resolves ♪ ♪ Music trails off ♪ [Fishing dock and boat motor ambience] [Gull squawking] ♪ Peaceful low hum ♪ [Loud ocean waves] ♪ Music swells and fades ♪ ♪ Fast arpeggiating piano ♪ ♪ String tremolo ♪ ♪ Haunting piano melody ♪ ♪ Music stops ♪ ♪ Vintage piano ♪ ♪ Music stops ♪ ♪ Dreamy piano and strings ♪ [Key and door open] [Door slams] ♪ Optimistic music builds with clarinets and bassoon ♪ ♪ Music ends on suspense ♪ [Wave crashes and booms] ♪ Rythmic working piano begins ♪ [Small birds chatter] [Wave crashes and booms] [Small bell jingles as wood door opens] [Fans whirring and cash register clangs] ♪ Rhythmic cello plucking ♪ [Chair slides] ♪ Playful piano joins cellos plucking ♪ She stole a cookie Hide it.
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♪ Low nostalgic piano ♪ [Wind, waves, birds, boat motor rumble] ♪ Music stops ♪ [Waves and loud boat engine roar] ♪ Rhythmic metalic tapping and drone ♪ ♪ Music stops suddenly on high piano note ♪ [Complete silence] ♪ Piano movement ♪ [Ambient school sounds return] [Loud waves and howling wind] [Thunderous booms of waves] [Leaves crunch] [Truck passes] [Small birds chirp] ♪ Pulsing theme returns ♪ [Wintery wind howls] [Wintery wind howls] [Waves and water rushing] [Boat engine rumble] [Quiet harbor with small waves] [Waves rushing] ♪ Optimistic strings and piano tremolo ♪ ♪ Emotional swells ♪ ♪ Title theme returns ♪ ♪ Ethereal vocal harmony swells and resolves ♪
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GBH Documentaries is a local public television program presented by GBH