Sign language steps into the spotlight at the movies with Oscar nominees and blockbusters focusing on deaf characters

HOLLYWOOD – Last year in cinemas, the use of sign language has come to the fore. And several of these films that contribute to the acceptance of the deaf community have also reached the Oscars.

In two of the highest grossing films of 2021, “Eternals” and “A Quiet Place Part II”, we see sign language appearing prominently with the inclusion of deaf characters.

Sign language is based on three Oscar-nominated films, including “Audible,” which was nominated for Best Short Documentary.

“I think our initial goal was to really show that deaf people are almost like everyone else,” said executive producer Nyle DiMarco. “We have the same problems. We are all trying to find ourselves.”

MORE Troy Kotsour writes history as the first deaf person to be nominated for an Oscar

Both nominees for Best Picture, “CODA” and “Drive My Car”, also use sign language.

“It was just a natural conclusion for the director. He was not aware of the inclusion or the difference, just someone who uses sign language as a natural first language,” said Teruhisa Yamamoto, producer of Drive My Car.

Troy Kotsur could become the second deaf actor to win an Oscar, following in the footsteps of co-star Marlee Matlin. Kotsour was also tasked with creating the Tuscan sign language for “The Mandalorian”.

“Tuscan sign language really suits their environment, their clothes and the use of heavy gloves, so it’s not easy to spell with these heavy gloves. And they have a different way of thinking and gesturing,” Kotsur said. “So ASL is a much higher level of language.”

“CODA”, the Oscar-nominated film about a teenage girl singer in a deaf family, is being developed as a theatrical musical by the Los Angeles-based Deaf West Theater.

FULL LIST: Nominations for the Oscars 2022