Mutton TV

[RED-DOG]

I don't want to appear unsympathetic here, or to make light of someones disability, but when they broadcast programmes for the deaf, why do they need someone standing in front of the picture, doing sign language?

It's really distracting, especially when they show a sequence with elephants mating, and there is a lady miming along along with the action.

I understand how useful sign language is for everyday life, in fact Mrs Red is learning to do it, but for TV programmes, wouldn't subtitles work better?

[Colchester Kev]

what about people who are deaf and cant read ??

OR

what about people who are deaf and dont have teletext or have bad enough eyesight to be unable to read text but can read the signer

They have them on the music channel sometimes, now THAT is funny ... seeing someone sign along to a Marilyn Manson video

[RED-DOG]

what about people who are deaf and cant read ??

OR

what about people who are deaf and dont have teletext or have bad enough eyesight to be unable to read text but can read the signer

They have them on the music channel sometimes, now THAT is funny ... seeing someone sign along to a Marilyn Manson video

I don't know, but wouldn't someone who understands sign language be able to read already?

Mrs Red practices signing the alphabet.

Even if they used really big letters, they wouldn't take up as much screen as the signer.

There will be a reason, I just don't know what it is.

[Ironside]

some deaf people cant understand english

british sign language isnt the same as english

in the near future its hoped that all programes will be signed but with the signing being hidden unless needed (like subtitles)

[thetank]

If I was deaf, shut off from a large part of the world that everybody can experience but me, I would like the fact that there is a little bit of my world that everybody else is shut out of.

I say, let them have their signers.

I imagine there's a whole bunch of other reaons for them to be there too.

[RED-DOG]

some deaf people cant understand english

british sign language isnt the same as english

in the near future its hoped that all programes will be signed but with the signing being hidden unless needed (like subtitles)

Now thats an answer that makes sense Iron.

[thetank]

Apparently, there was some legislation a couple years back, to ensure that TV companys reach a certain quoto of signed problems.

I'm with Ironside though, click a wee button signer xomes on, click a wee button signer goes off.

There is more than likely the technology to do that available, but of course it wouldn't work on old TVs. That's where they (the government and TV companies) run into problems.

[Ironside]

Apparently, there was some legislation a couple years back, to ensure that TV companys reach a certain quoto of signed problems.

I'm with Ironside though, click a wee button signer xomes on, click a wee button signer goes off.

There is more than likely the technology to do that available, but of course it wouldn't work on old TVs. That's where they (the government and TV companies) run into problems.

analog tvs will be dead in about 3 years when they do a full switch over to digital

[thetank]

They could at least sex up the signers a little. They all look so frumpy.

[MrsLime]

bsl is a distinct language in its own right, and, as such, is tied in to deaf culture and society

it is a rich medium, with dialects and slang which move with current trends

however, i agree that one of the most hilarious and surreal things i ever saw on tv was a white, middle-aged woman in a cardigan signing along to 50 Cent

[danafish]

There used to be a great rock n roll Signing Dwarf. He had a little heavy metal goatee and he always wore black, and he was really fat and when there was a pause in the signing he'd fold his hands on top of his belly in a pleasingly avuncular manner. I wish they'd bring him back.

Jen and I got really into See Hear when we were at college, before they invented freeview. Did anyone see the deaf soap opera on it? I got really into that. Oh, and Deaf Idol.

[Swordpoker]

I don't want to appear unsympathetic here, or to make light of someones disability, but when they broadcast programmes for the deaf, why do they need someone standing in front of the picture, doing sign language?

It's really distracting, especially when they show a sequence with elephants mating, and there is a lady miming along along with the action.

I understand how useful sign language is for everyday life, in fact Mrs Red is learning to do it, but for TV programmes, wouldn't subtitles work better?

For lots of deaf people, BSL (British Sign Language) is their preferred language and English is secondary. So it's really a matter of  showing the program in the viewers' first language.

[Ironside]

I don't want to appear unsympathetic here, or to make light of someones disability, but when they broadcast programmes for the deaf, why do they need someone standing in front of the picture, doing sign language?

It's really distracting, especially when they show a sequence with elephants mating, and there is a lady miming along along with the action.

I understand how useful sign language is for everyday life, in fact Mrs Red is learning to do it, but for TV programmes, wouldn't subtitles work better?

For lots of deaf people, BSL (British Sign Language) is their preferred language and English is secondary. So it's really a matter of  showing the program in the viewers' first language.

manly those born deaf

those who become deaf in later life (after learning to read) use english as there main langauge sign langauge is there 2nd language his people perfer subtitles

[Graham C]

It would be good if it were an interactive option.  Free interactive set top boxes for deaf people.