Christmas FM launched today and as irritating as Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer Might be, it’s a vital part of any festive season.
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without carols and repetitive jingles so it’s hard to imagine life without them.
Of course, that is a reality for the thousands of deaf people in Ireland.
Three Trinity students have created a small but incredibly meaningful offering in the form of an Irish Sign Language interpretation of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Amy Durkin, Abbie O’Neill, and Joanne O Donnell perform the piece in a lively video.
Behind the cheer of the Christmas Carol however, is an important reality.
“Currently Irish Sign Language isn’t recognised in Ireland, which is insane cos it’s the second indigenous language of Ireland,” writes Abbie. “It not being recognised means that Deaf people don’t have services or representation that they should be entitled to, such as interpreters and access to government websites through their first language. There is a bill being processed at the moment which would recognise Irish Sign Language. It’s vital that it’s recognised, as there are over 5000 Deaf people in Ireland who don’t share the same language rights as hearing people do.”
The trio plan to continue interpreting songs over the festive period and hope that the videos will help others pick up a few signs.
