The 2023 Super Bowl featured a culturally significant interpretation of American Sign Language, Native American Sign Language, performed by Colin Denny, a deaf person from the Navajo Nation.
So who is this native language translator? Keep reading this “Colin Denny Beat” to find out.
Colin Denny at the Super Bowl
At Super Bowl 52, where the Kansas City Chiefs faced the Philadelphia Eagles, the musical performances featured three different sign language interpreters performing themselves. While two of the interpretations between them were understood by almost everyone with special abilities, Colin Denny’s third was only known to natives.
However, he used a mixture of ASL and Native American Sign Language to render the translations for “America the Beautiful,” so it’s not completely incomprehensible.
According to Colin, he wanted to use his performance to educate people about the existence of the beautiful sign language of the North American Indians. “Many people are unaware [North American Indian Sign Language] and that it is always here, even if we don’t see it,” he said. “I feel like it’s something that needs national recognition and community revitalization.”
His performance also came on the heels of efforts by the NFL to remove the appropriation of Native American culture that was once prevalent throughout the sport. However, the Chiefs in particular have always experimented with some aspects of their team imagery, for example, the pinto mascot, Warpaint.
Now, after a successful performance, Colin is ready to use his new platform to spread awareness about North American Indian Sign Language, which consists of several different forms of sign language used among different native tribes. According to the University of Arizona, these regional languages consist of the Arctic Sign Language of Canada, the Mesoamerican Sign Language of northern Mexico, and several other tribal-specific variations. Some of them were even lost during colonization when children were supposed to learn English or ASL at the expense of their culture.
The other two sign language interpreters alongside Colin were Troy Kotsur and Justina Miles.
Colin Denny’s work
Colin Denny is clearly a sign language interpreter specializing in American Indian Sign Language. But he is also an ASL teacher who worked at a school for the deaf in New Mexico for almost 3 years.
He himself also comes from a school for children with special needs, ASDB – Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind. He later graduated from Dine College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2016, studied Art, Design and Media at Gallaudet University and received his Master of Education in Sign Language from the same university in 2020.
Now, as of 2023, Colin is also working as a Research Assistant at the University of Arizona studying Native American Sign Languages in the Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies.
In his free time, Colin enjoys traveling, finding new trails to run, and spending time with his family.
Did you know: Colin was in the NMSD ASL Service Corps program. He served communities from 2021-22 in Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Cobre.
Does Colin Denny have a girlfriend?
Colin Denny has not revealed their relationship status. Much less information about his girlfriend, we don’t even know if the sign language translator likes girls or not. Because? Well, in 2015, Colin celebrated pride month by flashing his FB profile in the colors of the rainbow flag.
Colin Denny’s family
The sign language interpreter comes from a family dedicated to teaching. Her parents, Gloria (born: June 1972) and Victor Denny (born: December 1970) were teachers within the Navajo community, teaching the Navajo language.
No wonder he was surprised there was no such thing as Navajo Sign Language (mostly reduced to just sign language) when he wanted to learn it. But he knew that “if there was a language here, there always was a language.” And American Sign Language was not the first language that was present here.” He then began to research Navajo Sign Language.
His family is said to be from the Red Running into Water clan, and his paternal grandfather is from the Many Goat clan.
Last we checked, his mother Gloria hosted a Diné Story Night and Lecture Night on “Béeso Baahane” at the Pinon Unified School District in February 2021.
Colin Denny Age
Colin Denny was 32 years old when he made history as the first Native American sign language interpreter at the 2023 Super Bowl.
He was the youngest of the three sign language interpreters that year.
Colin Denny Height
Colin Denny is under 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm).
Her special features include: brown eyes, dark hair, and a healthy body.
Related FAQ
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When is Colin Denny’s birthday?
Colin receives birthday wishes on December 27 and belongs to the zodiac sign of Capricorn.
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Is Colin Denny on Instagram and Facebook?
Find him on Facebook @colin.denny.35.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t find him on Instagram.
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Where does Colin Denny live?
In 2023, Colin was living in Chinle, Arizona.
But he was originally born in Shiprock, New Mexico, and grew up in Pinon, Arizona, within the Navajo Nation.
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Was Colin Denny always deaf?
No, Colin only started losing his hearing at the age of five. By the age of 13, his hearing loss had progressed greatly and within a few years he was completely deaf.
Fortunately, his parents immediately placed him in ASDB – Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind, where he learned the language he needed.
Categories: Biography
Source: newstars.edu.vn