Rebecca A Withey: The sign song debate – 9 years later (BSL)

It was nine years ago last month that I was asked to take part in a television debate about whether signed song could ever be part of deaf culture. As the only person in the signed song corner at that time, it was an intense and challenging experience for me.

Back then, there was very much a consensus that anything to do with English or Music could quite frankly never fit into the deaf world. As a result, those who admitted to enjoying signed song were labelled ‘not really deaf.’

Fast forward to 2024 and I am in awe as to how much has changed in a positive note for signed song.

Whilst signed song has had a negative connotation of being directed by mostly hearing BSL-learners, in the last nine years we have seen more and more deaf sign song artists and creators rise up and take back the reins.

In the same way that deaf actors translate English scripts, we have seen deaf performers translate English lyrics and bring them to life in their own unique way.

Renowned Deaf comedian John Smith began the online shift by confessing to his love of signed song and thus began to release his own signed song videos, without music, focusing merely on the visual and artistic translation.

Deaf artist Chris Fonseca took his own signing and dancing production ‘Follow the Signs’ on tour – which was met with great success.

An online campaign Re-Sign was also launched earlier this year starring deaf sign singers Raphaella Julien and Sarah Adedeji – with the aim of taking back ownership of signed song on social media platforms.

When Deaffest celebrated their 15 year anniversary this year with the theme of ‘music,’ we saw the founders Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Wilrich surprise us all by taking to the stage to perform their own signed songs!

Bristol based Sign Gigs also added their own musical flavour this year with a group signed song rendition of Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

At the end of each year signed song ‘legend’ Colin Thomson also continues to deliver signed ‘Christmas’ performances assisted by Deaf children and artists from across Derbyshire.

Seeing the number of schools and deaf children take part in this event is incredibly heart warming and it brings joy to all of the children and their families too.

Another particular highlight for me was a commercial by Ford I was hired to work on earlier this year. The ad featured signed song by deaf artists Lisa Kelly and Charis Townsend and it was incredibly exciting to develop.

You cannot deny that signed song has come a long, long way and things are – thankfully – much more exciting for deaf artists in the UK in relation to music. We should no longer have to justify the existence of signed song or question whether it belongs in the deaf community – it already does.

Whether or not you enjoy music and signed song – this is a very personal choice and this is the same for anyone, regardless of whether you are deaf or hearing.

What really held signed song back for so many years was how it was controlled, shaped and manufactured by those who were not native, fluent BSL users.

By taking back ownership and the directing the path of signed song, I am excited to see where the next ten years will take us!

Rebecca A Withey is the Assistant Editor for The Limping Chicken. She is also a script writer, BSL consultant and creative artist based in the Midlands. Rebecca is a Deaf, bilingual BSL user. Find out more at www.rawithey.com