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How to Sign the Words to a Song

Sign Language evolved from a system created in the mid-1500s by Pedro Ponce de Léon, a Spanish Benedictine monk. Signing didn't find wide use until the mid-1800s when schools to teach deaf children were created. Combining song and sign was a product of the 1960s, when the Total Communication theory arose, which is the idea that the deaf can learn by sign language, speech and lip-reading. In 1967, the The National Theatre of the Deaf was established. Since then, it has become an important part of deaf culture that helps the hearing impaired experience the full power of music.

Things You'll Need

  • Song lyrics
  • Signing dictionary
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Instructions

  1. Signing along with a Song

    • 1
      Use letters to spell out words that you can't find in the signing dictionary.

      Translate the song using the lyrics sheet into signs using your sign language dictionary. Because song lyrics may not perfectly translate with sign language, attempt to translate phrases as well as possible. You should end up with a literal translation of the song.

    • 2
      A dictionary can help break down motions in a song by providing syllable counts.

      Determine the pacing of the signs according to the syllables as they are spoken in the song. Generally you will have one motion per syllable. Keep in mind that many signs have several motions, possibly more motions than there are syllables in the word it represents, and you will have to slur the sign together, condensing it into fewer motions. The exception is when you have to sign letters, in which case you will have to spell out the letters within the time of the word being sung.

    • 3

      Create some simple dance steps that will use your body language to communicate the emotion of the sign.

    • 4
      Try writing out descriptions of the signs to help you memorize them.

      Memorize the lyrics to the song along with the signs. You will need to sing along with the song at the same time as your are signing with it.

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Singing

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