American Sign Language on The Walking Dead

SAN DIEGO, CALIF., November 5, 2019 – American Sign Language on The Walking Dead

One of the most popular shows on television today, The Walking Dead* *(Warning: possible spoilers and content and language not suitable for everyone in the link), is bringing inclusion to the tv screens of millions of viewers every week. Last year, during season 9, they introduced Deaf actress Lauren Ridloff as their first Deaf character who communicates in American Sign Language on the show. Alongside Ridloff is actress Angel Theory, playing her sister Kelly, who is Hard of Hearing. Typically, characters on the show are based on their original comic book counterpart, however, casting these characters as Deaf and Hard of Hearing are a complete change, and one of great inclusion.

If you are a fan of the show, or even familiar with it in the slightest, you know that any character can be lost at any given moment. The zombie apocalypse environment is not one that is easily navigated and survived. Having Ridloff and Theory on the show, surviving and thriving now in Season 10, projects their strength and resilience as characters, and you could say mirrors the strength and resilience of those in the real world who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. It is great to have them included on such a popular show, bringing so much attention and awareness to the topic and culture.

Sunday night’s episode opened with the entire first scene focused on Kelly and her hearing loss.* *(Warning: possible spoilers and content and language not suitable for everyone in the link) She was tracking an animal through the forest where you hear the sounds of the wild, birds chirping, leaves rustling, and then they close up on Kelly’s face and the sound goes out. They brought her point of view to the viewer. There was some ringing and muffled sound, and you realize that she is having more difficulty hearing. (In a prior episode Kelly tells her sister Connie that she thinks her hearing is getting worse and she is having difficulty dealing with it, which is actually happening to the actress in her real life.* *(Warning: possible spoilers and content and language not suitable for everyone in the link) Connie tells her that she will help her through it and that their hearing impairment is a super power and not a disability, which is what Theory’s mother had told her in real life to comfort her. She empowers it, it makes them who they are and has helped them get to where they are.)

The opening scene continues with Kelly attempting to shoot a slingshot as her hearing gets worse, she has trouble concentrating but then shoots. The sound gets muffled once again putting the viewer into her point of view, taking you inside of that feeling for a brief moment. As she is dealing with her hearing issue, zombies begin to approach her, one of which she narrowly escapes due to not being able to hear them behind her. The scene switches point of views from sound to what Kelly barely hears, putting hearing into the forefront, emphasizing the sound differences so viewers get an appreciation of the gravity of being Deaf or Hard of Hearing, especially in this Walking Dead world.

Later on in the show, one of the main characters, Daryl, played by Norman Reedus, enters a scene. He waves over to Connie and signs “Talk later?” to her. This is another great story in the show, the relationship between Daryl and Connie* *(Warning: possible spoilers and content and language not suitable for everyone in the link), which adds to the inclusion and further puts awareness into the spotlight. Their relationship has been highlighted on the show throughout many episodes. Over time it has shown Daryl, and other characters, learning American Sign Language to be able to communicate with Connie and Kelly in their language. Sign language is used so much in so many scenes, as well as communicating through writing and expressions, and emphasizing words when speaking.

Through the episodes, Daryl isn’t always perfect with his signing or expressions, but it shows that he is trying and is determined to learn ASL. In one episode earlier in the season there is a scene that shows a book about learning ASL in his back pocket which some viewers might have missed but was a nice touch by the show. In a recent interview, Reedus spoke about learning sign language, explaining that there have been a few times in which he has messed up some ASL on set where he said a dirty word or two just because of the wrong placement of his hands. It shows that ASL is a skill and artform and every little expression makes a difference. Ridloff also said in a recent interview that all of the cast have been learning ASL, not just for their acting parts but so they can communicate with her and Theory off camera.

Characters in the show who have been with Connie and Kelly for a long time have become fluent in sign language, while the characters who have known her a short time are in various stages of just learning. It shows that we are all able to learn ASL and communicate at anytime, under all different circumstances. The Walking Dead is a show with an especially diverse cast, and it’s great to have them do their part including the Deaf and Hard of Hearing culture now. In a show where so many characters don’t last very long, it’s nice to see these two characters portrayed as strong survivors, which is true to the culture, and it’s refreshing to see them put it into the spotlight often, bringing so much attention and awareness to the mainstream.

If your business has any sign language or foreign language interpretation needs contact us through the form below to get a free quote today. We service the entire United States. For ASL services in Florida visit our Accessible Communication for the Deaf office site www.acdasl.com. For more recent stories highlighting Deaf and Sign Language inclusion in the mainstream check out the other articles in our blog.

Image via: https://www.insider.com/walking-dead-wrote-angel-theory-hearing-loss-onto-show-2019-10

About Interpreters Unlimited, Inc.

The IU Group of companies include: Interpreters Unlimited, Accessible Communication for the Deaf, Albors & Alnet, Arkansas Spanish Interpreters and Translators, and IU GlobeLink, LLC, and are headquartered in San Diego, California as a minority-owned company. IU Group is committed to providing equal opportunity in the work environment with its diverse team to aid in supplying linguistic and cultural interpretation services to clients. A combined 70 years in the industry has demonstrated a surplus of leadership and best practices, which has helped establish its respected role in the language services community. Its services include interpretation, document translation and non-emergency medical transportation.