Within sign language poetry there is a genre that has not been the subject of scientific research yet, even though it has been around for quite some time: visual vernacular. It differentiates...Show moreWithin sign language poetry there is a genre that has not been the subject of scientific research yet, even though it has been around for quite some time: visual vernacular. It differentiates itself from other types of sign language literature in that it hardly ever uses anything but iconic signs, and this is what makes it internationally comprehensible across sign language borders. It is even understandable to audiences who do not have any knowledge of a sign language. Besides iconic signs, it uses many cinematographic techniques such as role switching from and to different subject or objects within the story. Visual vernacular is different from another type of sign language literature called classifier stories mainly in that the latter uses sign language specific lexicon which visual verancular does not. Another similar form of art, this time outside the sign language realm, is pantomime, but this is different from visual vernacular in many ways, one of the most prominent of which is that pantomime performers are only the storyteller whereas visual vernacular performers swith between the storyteller, main protagonist and any other subject or object in the story. By making a literary overview and using a dataset of different types of visual vernacular stories, this thesis provides an inter and intra sign language poetry genre comparison.Show less
Poetry is an important tool through which Palestinians can express their national-political identity. Palestinian poetry is part of a greater tradition of Arabic poetry throughout history. In this...Show morePoetry is an important tool through which Palestinians can express their national-political identity. Palestinian poetry is part of a greater tradition of Arabic poetry throughout history. In this case, the Arabic language is key in connecting different nation states in the Arab world. Hence, Palestinian Arabic poetry reinforces the Arab identity of the Palestinian people. Another way in which poetry affects the identity of Palestinians, is in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. This juxtaposition makes clear the distinct political nature Palestinian poetry can have. This research paper aims to answer in what ways poetry is used to express and reproduce the Palestinian political identity. It focuses on both aspects of the Arab identity and the Israel-Palestine conflict, set to a framework of significant historical events.Show less
