I think it is really irritating and spoils the enjoyment of programmes. I am not unsympathetic towards deaf people, but we do have 888 and Digital Subtitles services. I see no need for in vision sign language. Its even more distracting on 4:3 broadcasts ! At least in 16:9 you can stick them in a corner.
See blakes 7 this morning on UK Gold. Avon and Dayna don't look to happy to have her there stealing their screen presence
Some programmes are not subtitles - mainly older ones (like Blakes 7).
Anyway, deaf people have a right to have SOME programmes tailored for them. Not all deaf people can stay up till 1am on a weekday night to watch some BBC One programmes with signing.
I have to defend this subject as I know how to sign and can understand why broadcasters do this.
Ive heard Digital TV Comapnies are working on a way to have the signing woman on or off, therefore enabling more programmes to be signed, rather a limited few (and some of these are only signed on DTT/Digicable e.g. hollyoaks and some C5 documentries).
Get rid of 'in-vision' and stick to subtitles - that's my vote.
LS
Larry Scutta
Is a legal requirement for channels on DTT. 1% in the first year and rising by 1% year on year IIRC
Most channels only have them on repeats or Omnibus' editions.
MG
MikeG
Yes, Hollyoaks' omnibus on DigCab has signing - but the analogue version doesn't. Seems unfair for analogue deaf viewers!
BTW: Subtitles regularly go wrong. Signing can't can it?
GR
thegreenfairy
Also, many deaf people don't 'speak' English they speak signing, so subtitles are of very little use to them
I really don't think that on-screen signijng hurts that much - if it annoys you then don't watch it, and be glad that you are in the part of the population who have 2% of programmes 'spoilt' by having signing, noth the part that has 98% spoilt because it doesn't.
Personally, I have often watched the repeats of Ally McBeal on a night when they have been signed - and it doesn't distract me at all.
And yes, whoever mentioned the legal requirement to include in-vision signing on Digital TV was right. Switchable signers are being worked on, but many have been unpopular with deaf viewers.
Do you people not care about public service broadcasting?
That's the reason TV is in the shape it's in.
GR
thegreenfairy
Strictly speaking, of course, UKGold isn't a public service broadcaster but I know what you mean.
I think a lot of people suport public service broadcasting - but just as long as THEY are the public being served. Just look at the hoo-har when BBC 2W was started from people outside Wales, or when the BBC decides to serve the public with some interactive features but DTT/Cable viewers cannot get them.
