Subtitles have been making television accessible to Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers for about the last four decades; their presence onscreen is no longer unusual (though their existence is as appreciated as ever!). 

We’re all used to seeing subtitles scrolling the news in airports, football commentary in busy pubs and home improvement shows in the gym.  Subtitles provide access not just to Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, but also to those who use subtitles to improve their English, or learn lyrics to songs.

Sign Language Translation (SLT) is another method broadcasters use to make TV programming more accessible to Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, translating what’s on screen into British Sign Language (BSL). SLT has been provided by a number of British broadcasters since the year 2000 for a wide range of programmes such as the news, children’s programmes and dramas.  More recently, BSL has featured more prominently as part of music programming.

For many years, music was off limits to Deaf viewers in broadcasting terms, but now everything from pop videos to concerts and festivals are interpreted for broadcast.  Many viewers enjoyed watching the signed version of Conchita Wurst’s Rise Like A Phoenix (Eurovision 2014). This year, the Eurovision Song Contest went one better and simulcast in International Sign Language; Deaf viewers lapped it up! They were given a real sense of the song’s character and mood as well as the lyrics.

So, how did we reach this position, with sign language interpretation becoming more common on music programming?  In the 1980s, See Hear televised a pop video from the American show Deaf Mosaic. It had people signing and dancing in the videos. This was a new concept here in the UK, and typically we Brits were a bit shy on leaping up from the sofa. Much later on in the 1990s, The Spice Girls had an interpreter on screen at their concert. There was an egg-shaped circle on the right side of the screen with the interpreter signing away… too bad that the interpreter wasn’t big enough for everyone to see!

As time went by, Deaf people started to reach out and perform more and more. Around 1995, the British Deaf Association organised a number of entertainment events and introduced sign songs… Signed songs are slowly being adopted, but the dancing side of things is still a bit wooden!

In 2002, Deaf Idol was launched! Deaf people all over the UK were invited to perform using sign songs. Performances were voted on by deaf viewers.  Rappers, such as Sign Mark – who was brought over to London by JC Promotions – have also risen up on the musical horizon.

By the 2005, SenCity was in full swing. SenCity is a global festival that takes place in different cities around the world. It is a festival that goes beyond the music, so that all senses come alive at the party. They have expressive dancers, a SenseFloor, video projections and a wide range of musical event transformations that create a unique experience.

Deaf people have expressed a real enjoyment in music and signed songs.  More and more young Deaf people boldly shared their enjoyment from music doing sign songs! One of the most watched, with over one million views is Happy (a song by Pharell Williams). Here, on British turf, there have been a few pop artists who have used sign language in their music videos such as The Horrors (can you spot one of our news interpreters in the music video?!) and Paul McCartney. One of Ed Sheeran’s first music videos exclusively featured British Sign Language too – it was for his song You need me, I don’t need you.

At a recent Deaf festival – Deaffest – a rock band from the US were invited to come over as headliners to do signed performances. It included drumming, piano playing and strumming on the guitar and was enjoyed by the crowd! Further to that, news of two Deaf sisters who were denied an interpreter at a One Direction concert in Northern Ireland went viral. The production company backing the gig is now in discussions on how they can turn around their decision and is scheduled to meet with Action on Hearing Loss regarding accessibility.

So change is afoot… Let’s hope the world is ready to rock on with the Deaf community on the music scene. It’s clear to see there is certainly a market for it!

Lesley McGilp, General Manager, Sign Language Translation, Access Services