Famous deaf people, and champions of the deaf
Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) was actor, director, producer, and composer. The clown from Lambeth was influenced by many deaf actors he worked with in his silent films. In that era deaf and hearing audiences enjoyed the same level of participation, and Chaplin would enthrall his entire audiences with his facial expressions, posture, touch and movement. Chaplin made friends with Granville Redmond, who had become deaf at the age of two and half years from scarlet fever. He never learned to speak and Charlie Chaplin became a friend and a collector of Granville’s artwork. Charlie learned sign language and finger spelling and was given credit for influencing Chaplin’s acting. Chaplin did not move his lips in his silent films. He used gestures and expressions resembling those used by deaf persons. Granville took some minor roles in a few of Chaplin’s films.
Prince Philip’s mother was deaf and he used to learn to lip read with his mother, though I don’t think he used British Sign Language.
Helen Keller was the first deaf and blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was well-travelled and outspoken in her convictions and communicated with others as conventionally as possible. She learned to speak and spent much of her life giving speeches and lectures. She learned to use her hand on people’s lips with her hands and she had a sense of touch which became extremely subtle. She became proficient at using Braille and reading sign language with her hands as well. Through her life she used companions to help her.
The deaf American Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who starred with William Hurt in the film ‘Children of a Lesser God’, used American Sign Language, and there were many other deaf people in that film, which was about a love affair with a teacher. She continues to make films and programmes, and there are other deaf actresses in America today.
Princess Diana herself learned how to use British Sign Language, and at the British Deaf Association centenary congress she made a faultless speech using it. The 800 delegates were delighted and gave her a standing ovation. She had been learning to sign for seven years in her role as patron to this association. She was taught by a deaf teacher and was excellent.
The BBC’s CBeebies children’s programmes with four young people feature poetry for children translated with British Sign Language. It’s a wonderful programme for both deaf and hearing children.
Every day on the BBC news channel 24, from one o’clock to half past one, there is a registered qualified level six British Sign Language interpreter.