LOS ANGELES -- Actress discusses taking a risk in using American Sign Language and subtitles on ABC Family's ‘Switched at Birth.’Deaf actress Marlee Matlin came by Good Morning America March 4 2013 to talk about the landmark new episode of Switched at Birth, which will be the first in history to be aired on television entirely in American Sign Language.
Marlee Matlin, who is Deaf in real life, appeared with a translator, who facilitated the interview between her and Robin Roberts.
Matlin said it’s been an amazing journey for her, because she began in the business 28 years ago trying to get her language, American Sign Language, across to anyone watching television or movies. She said it’s going to be beautiful to show and highlight to the whole world the culture of American Sign Language.
The clip they showed of tonight’s Switched at Birth episode was extremely powerful. I’ve never seen the show, but Marlee Matlin and actress Lea Thompson were sitting at a dining room table signing to each other about how to get reporters to a high school presentation of Romeo And Juliet.
The clip was completely silent. There wasn’t even background noise. The silence, plus the American Sign Language used by both actresses discussing something as everyday as a high school play, was really striking and wonderful. It’s going to be a great episode... Read The Full Story.
‘Switched at Birth’: ABC Family’s The teen soap Switched at Birth explores self-expression and the communication gulf between the hearing and Deaf communities. List of Switched at Birth characters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Switched_at_Birth_characters
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