Introduction: A Poet Beyond Words
But what if poetry could be ‘seen’ instead of ‘heard’? What if it could be accessible through fingers and rhythm? This was the reality that Dorothy Miles created. This is why she is regarded as the mother of BSL poetry. She single-handedly changed the way people thought about language, culture, and education.
Dorothy Miles is synonymous with the Gallaudet University and the National Theatre of the Deaf, as well as with UK lecture halls. Miles did not only stay a poet all his life, but she became the cultural icon for the Deaf community. The journey she undertook was nothing short of remarkable and inspirational. Be it creativity or determination, she transformed everything in her surroundings. Today, understanding the work of Dorothy Miles is vital in order to grasp the concepts of Deaf identity or bilingual education.
Rough Inception: Squires Family And Their Circumstances
Coming from an underprivileged background, Dorothy Miles (formerly Dorothy May Squire) was born in Wales’ Flintshire region, specifically Holywell, on August 19 1931. Her family faced economic challenges, and within four walls, she was exposed to the never-seeming burdens life came attached with, all whilst becoming the youngest of five siblings, fueling creative imagination & curiosity.
Ironically, the reason behind miscarriages of United Nations mandated basic human rights of education, healthcare, and equality was framed to be a step towards “her improvement.” She was screened for spinal cerebro meningitis and found to have it at the age of eight, a condition which rapidly progresses if timely treatment isn’t administered, translating to her evolving into a deaf individual overnight.
The challenge posed in front of her would be navigating a world ocean dotted with islands of voices and identities. Reconstruction through the lens of her memory enables exorbitant uncertainty. Life became shaded in tones of silence. While she clearly faced a disability of hearing, pushing through by accepting tasks partial deafness posed became her lifestyle.
Her Journey
Fulfilling requirements post-rehabilitation, her English and sign language literacy became enabled with the Royal School for the Deaf, which is located in Manchester. Upon going through painful experiences, she transferred to the Mary Hare School based in Berkshire. Stages of exploration coupled with gaining the necessary confidence propelled her towards pursuing performative arts.
A Cultured Beginning
Complete her cycle of primary education, she was seamlessly awarded a scholarship enabling her an opportunity to sit at Gallaudet College in Washington, marking her first steps towards pursuing higher education while adapting to new challenges bound to come, considering being deaf and hard of hearing wouldn’t make life any easier.
Required Adaptation Stage Marks Miles’ For The First Time Performing
Motivation and effort to secure English and BS levels of proficiency enabled Dorothy to achieve immense success at Gallaudet. Starting with her fundamental accomplishment there, being provided with the adapted futuristic first segregation of expanded preparatory school honouring society frequently eliciting scholastic achievements, the Phi Alpha Pi society queue and triad.
Gaining income.US diploma grants subsidies alongside expanding horizons opens windows. Global borders grant opportunities previously unimaginable, leading to her earning attention shift full circle.
Her name also appeared in “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities”.
She graduated in 1961 with a degree deemed as honours.
The scholarship stimulated her perception of the world, and she asymmetrically acquired fluency in American Sign Language (ASL). A lifelong commitment to sign language literature emerged from a deep appreciation of the visual-gestural nature of ASL poetry.
Poetry In Motion: Creating New Genres
Dorothy Miles was not simply writing poems; she was developing an entire genre of new literary and body language—hand expressions, facial movements, gestures and spaces, poetry in motion. She mixed spoken word with movement to create visual narratives.
What is Signed Poetry?
Rather, signed poetry is an artistic form of expression unique to sign language that possesses its own rhythms, metaphors, and grammar. Miles cultivated this form of expression, creating rules for the structure and performance of signed poetry.
Her efforts helped define Signed Poetry as a serious artistic domain deserving scholarly research, public presentation, and inclusion in the curriculum of programs serving people with deafness.
Becoming a Member of the National Theatre of the Deaf (NTD)
In 1967, Dorothy became a member of the National Theatre of the Deaf (NTD) in the USA. She started as a wardrobe mistress, but soon after, she took to writing and performing on stage.
Major Accomplishments
- Assisted in the translation and performance of “Under Milk Wood” by Dylan Thomas, presenting English Deaf audiences with classic literature in a new visual way.
- Utilized her position to promote the acceptance of Deaf performing arts within mainstream society.
- Conducted signed poetry workshops and worked towards the inclusion of artists with hearing disabilities into the art sphere.
Going Back to the UK: Rights Activism for Language
After spending almost twenty years in the US, Dorothy went back to Britain in 1977 with a clear intention: To push for BSL’s recognition and status along with the British Deaf Community’s empowerment.
She became a member of the British Deaf Association (BDA) and began some of her most impactful advocacy work.
Pushing for the Bilingual Education and Literacy Policy
Simple yet profound was one of Dorothy’s driving motives: Deaf children should have full and equal access to both sign language and English in written form rather than one language at the cost of another.
This includes:
- Developing the first guiding document for British Sign Language tutors.
- Contributing to the deaf council signature (formerly known as CACDP).
- Encouraging bilingual teaching approaches in deaf educational institutions.
- Promoting lectures and courses on language jurisdiction, empowerment of the deaf, and rights held by the deaf community throughout the United Kingdom.
Poetic Masterpieces: Poems That Speak in Silence
Miles’s poems encapsulated issues such as deafness pride, deaf identification, language justice, and deaf culture appreciation.
Major Works
- “To a Deaf Child”
An empowering guideline for identifying and living freely as a deaf child sans limitations imposed by society.
“You don’t have to let people determine what you can achieve. Your silence can be your strength, and your hands can speak.” - “Defiance”
An empowering piece representing Deaf Identity reclamation with unapologetic pride, dignity, and self-love. - “Language for the Eye”
This poem is described as her artistic manifesto—claiming the potential of expressing in sign language as poetry. - “Triolets” (Adapted to Sign)
A wonderful visualization of symbolically structured verses. It illustrated that the sign has rhythm—in contrast to English poetry’s rhythm and repetition.
Cultural Influence: Closing the Gap Between the Deaf and Hearing Worlds
Miles’ work was not pigeonholed to the Deaf. She wrote for everyone. Her poems, performances, and lectures reached out to both the Deaf and hearing people and fused together their culture, emotions and understanding.
Effects on the Arts:
- Motivated Deaf poets like John Lee Clark, Raymond Antrobus, and Donna Williams.
- Paved the way for recognition of BSL poetry as a valid genre in UK universities.
- Encouraged formation of the Deaf Arts Festival, Signed Poetry Slam, BSL literature curricula, and many more.
International Acknowledgement:
Miles’ work continues to feature in various Deaf Studies classes across the globe.
Miles is considered one of the most remarkable prominent figures in the history of cultural Deaf history.
Awards and Posthumous Recognition
Dorothy’s life battles with mental health in her final years have been increasingly honoured after she died in 1993.
Main Awards:
- In 2024, a Purple Plaque honouring his contribution to Deaf culture was put on Rhyl’s childhood house.
- On her supposed 93rd birthday, Miles received a Doodle from Google on August 19 2024, showcasing her poetry in motion.
- Her works can be found at the Gallaudet University, The British Deaf History Society, and even The BBC Archive.
Continuing the Movement: Why Dorothy Miles Still Matters Today
Her relevance is not bound to history. As a matter of fact, she is very relevant today because:
- The world is increasingly recognizing sign languages, such as India recognizing its ISL in 2020.
- Her concerns about bilingual education and her context are more important than ever.
- With increasing concern towards Deaf creators, sign poetry and performance have become viral forms of accessible and emotional expression.
Also Read: Earth Day
Honouring Dorothy Miles’s Legacy
If you wish to take on some of Dorothy’s work or her impact, here is how:
- ✅ Read some of her poems; “To a Deaf Child” and “Defiance” are wonderful places to start.
- ✅ Promote Deaf authors and artists – support and buy from Deaf creatives.
- ✅ Learn basic BSL and ASL – excellent BSL and ASL learning can be found on apps like Lingvano and websites such as SpreadTheSign.
- ✅ Attend a Deaf Arts Festival – view the magic of visual poetry in person.
- ✅ Help sustain advocacy by donating to BDA and Signature.
Concluding Reflections
The life and works of Dorothy Miles (May Squire) created an impact which goes beyond the Deaf community. Through her work, language and poetry took on a whole new meaning; it was not merely meant to be heard but embraced and felt deeply. In her eyes, it was more than just language—it was a light, dance, and force.
It is evident from her powerful works that Deaf individuals, when given the opportunity, do not simply whisper. Rather, their voices bring forth a powerful roar.
📌 Highlighted Details at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | May Squire Miles |
| Born | Holywell, Wales, August 19, 1931 |
| Died | 1993 |
| Key Contributions | ‘To Defiance’ and The BSL poetry |
| Notable Works | ‘For the Eye’, ‘A Deaf Child’, ‘Death’ |
| Institutions | Gallaudet University, BDA, National Theatre of Deaf |
| Legacy Honors | Educational curricula, Google Doodle, Purple Plaque |
FAQs
Q1: What is best associated with the name Dorothy Miles?
Her works on promoting Deaf culture using bilingual education alongside British Sign Language Poetry are her most famous contributions to society.
Q2: In what way was Dorothy Miles an influencer of Deaf education?
By advocating Deaf children’s English fluency alongside sign language ability, her revolutionary idea changed teaching approaches throughout the UK.
Q3: Do you know where I can find her poetry?
Most of her works are readily available on YouTube and heartdeaf.com, as well as archived materials at Gallaudet University and the BDA.
Q4: Was she engaged in politics?
Even though she was not a politician, she actively participated in Deaf rights movements as well as in educational reforms.
Q5: How is she remembered today?
She is commemorated through plaques, several literature festivals, Google Doodles, and through her continued works in educational materials in Deaf Studies.
