Television in sign language

The issue of accessible television is becoming increasingly important today, and in this context, television in sign language is also gaining prominence.

Below, you can find out what options deaf people have for using sign language on television, what services are already available, and how to switch on sign language on television.

Key Takeaways

Sign language is a visual, natural language. Unlike spoken language, however, communication takes place not through sounds or words, but through signs - that is, hand gestures, body language, facial expressions and mouth movements.

Sign language enables deaf and hard-of-hearing people to communicate with one another and with hearing people. In Germany alone, German Sign Language (DGS) is used by around 250,000 people.

Find out more about learning sign language here.

Why television in sign language?

Everyone should have equal access to information and entertainment, regardless of their mental or physical abilities. This applies to all areas of life, including television.

Many TV channels, streaming services and similar providers are therefore already promoting accessibility today. Accessible television is achieved using various technologies, including subtitles, plain language settings and sign language translations.

Unfortunately, the latter are still the exception rather than the rule.

How does sign language television work?

It’s actually quite simple: with sign language television, a sign language interpreter translates what is being said and shown into sign language. The interpreter is usually visible in a small inset window on the main TV screen.

These visual translations are either recorded before the film, programme etc. is broadcast, or they take place live during the broadcast, for example during televised sporting events. This is particularly challenging for sign language interpreters, as they cannot prepare for their work.

As there are regional differences and dialects in German Sign Language, just as there are in spoken language, a ‘more general’ combination of sign language and lip-reading is often used on television so that as many people as possible can understand it.

Requirements for sign language television: HbbTV

Only a few TV channels offer sign language interpretation in their live programmes. However, there are other options for sign language television, for example via HbbTV. HbbTV stands for “Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV”, a technology that combines television and the internet to offer interactive services via the TV set. These include, for example, media libraries, video-on-demand and streaming services, or the sign language function, provided it is offered by the desired channel for the programme in question.

To watch television in sign language, you therefore first need an HbbTV-compatible television or an HbbTV-compatible receiver. These include, for example, modern smart TVs with an internet connection or so-called set-top boxes, such as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, etc.

You can also find some programmes with sign language interpretation in the various media libraries of the TV channels, or you can watch them online via live stream.

Turning sign language on/off on TV

To switch on sign language on TV using HbbTV, you must first check whether your television set supports HbbTV. If not, as already mentioned, there are a few alternatives.

How to switch on sign language with HbbTV:

1. Switch on your TV and make sure it is connected to the internet.
2. Now make sure that your TV’s HbbTV function is enabled, or enable it. You’ll usually find the HbbTV function in the TV menu under ‘Settings’, ‘Channels’ or ‘Network’.
3. Launch HbbTV. To do this, first select a channel that offers HbbTV services. Once the function is activated, the HbbTV icon usually appears after a few seconds, typically a red button at the edge of the screen.
4. Press the red button or the red key on your remote control. This will launch the relevant HbbTV portal.
5. Now navigate to the settings and look for “Accessibility” or directly for “Sign Language”. The exact name varies depending on the TV set. Then select the appropriate option for sign language and confirm your selection.

You should now see the sign language interpreter displayed in a small picture-in-picture window. Please note, however, that not all HbbTV-enabled channels offer the sign language function.

To switch off sign language translation, go back to the settings and deactivate the function.

If, despite these instructions on how to switch sign language on and off, you are still having difficulty activating it, we recommend consulting your TV’s user manual.

Do all channels offer television in sign language?

No, unfortunately not all TV channels currently offer programmes with sign language interpreters. This is partly because smaller or regional channels lack the resources.

Recording sign language or broadcasting a live sign language interpretation is technically and financially demanding. Major broadcasters such as the public service broadcasters ARD, ZDF, NDR, WDR, BR and others, on the other hand, more often have the resources and staff to implement such services. They therefore play a pioneering role in the field of “accessible television”.

For instance, Bayerischer Rundfunk launched the series “Sehen statt Hören” several years ago, which presents content exclusively through various visual means of television, such as sign language. These programmes, including reports on hearing and deafness as well as numerous other topics, are produced by BR but also broadcast by all other regional broadcasters (WDR, NDR, MDR, RBB, SWR, HR, etc.).

In addition, the ARD announced some time ago that, from autumn 2024, all new episodes of the cult crime series “Tatort” and “Polizeiruf 110”, which are being newly produced by the regional broadcasters, will also be offered with sign language interpretation.

MDR’s “Tatort” and “Polizeiruf” episodes have already been available with sign language since 2023. Furthermore, other productions by Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) are also set to be provided with translations into German Sign Language (DGS).

These changes are part of the “Accessible Broadcasting” project, which the ARD public media network launched some time ago to support people with sensory impairments such as hearing or visual loss, as well as those who understand little or no German.

Alternatives to television in sign language

Although the range of sign language translations currently available on television is still very limited, more and more broadcasters are prioritising accessibility.

One option that is already frequently offered as part of this is subtitles. They help both deaf and hard-of-hearing people to better understand the information on television. Subtitles are available on many programmes and can often be activated via the television’s settings.

People with hearing difficulties can also benefit from so-called TV hearing amplifiers. The OSKAR TV hearing amplifier from faller audio, for example, features special speech optimisation that amplifies speech on the television and minimises background noise.