Accessibility
Kieron and Harjit- Signing through Song
Watch online here or read the transcript:
CC: Hello and welcome to Chris’ Chats! I have been waiting for really a long time for this, and I am so glad that this has come to attention. Since I was a child, I was nearly practically deaf. After having operations my hearing has gradually come back. And I do a lot of sign language. And my special guest today is Kieron and Harjit
[Intro]
CC- I am interviewing Kieron and Harjit for their performances because I have seen them both live on-stage doing sign language through song. So, Kieron, how did you get into signing through song?
K- Yeah, I can
H- So Chris is asking how did you get into singing and signing together? You explained to me that it was through YAMSEN wasn’t it? So, every Friday you do singing in the choir at YAMSEN and whilst you were singing, some of the words you started signing, didn’t you? And I recognised you could sign and that’s how you connected and wanted to start singing with signs. Is that right? Yeah?
K- Yeah. Heart!
H- Oh you’re talking about your favourite song there.
CC- And another one Kieron, what is your favourite part of singing and signing to music?
H- Your favourite part-
K- Heart
H- That’s your favourite song to sign, isn’t it? That’s A Thousand Years and he says it’s close to his heart. Which is what he’s explaining there. There are a few songs you like to sing, like This Is Me, isn’t it? So what Chris was asking there is what is your favourite part of singing with sign? Do you remember we talked about this, and you said it helps you feel more connected, and helps you feel more happier-?
K- Yeah
H- When you’re using sign, yeah? You can sign if you want if that will help you to express!
K- Yeah!
CC- I can do signs
H- See, he can sign as well!
K- Oh yeah, yes.
H- So you don’t have to speak, you can sign and explain to Chris
CC- We’ve seen Kieron and Harjit at 2 Culture events signing and singing. So, Kieron, now that you’re an expert, do you still get nervous before performing?
H- You know when you perform do you still feel a bit scared, or do you feel more confident?
K- Oh more confident!
CC- Which is your favourite song to perform?
K- Heart, heart!
H- So the songs name is A Thousand Years, that one.
K- A Thousand Years!
H- Yeah, A Thousand Years.
CC- Kieron do you find signing helps you to connect with music more?
H- So since before you said that signing with singing helps you to connect, like Chris has just asked.
K- Yeah
H- Makes you feel more connected and happier and involved in the song, doesn’t it?
K- Yeah!
H- How else do you feel?
K- Happy?
CC- So when Kieron performs, we have Harjit to support and help Kieron. What caused you to start learning sign language and have you been signing for a long time?
H- So firstly Chris, thank you for having us here today! And yes, I do have a story. So, I learned to sign because I grew up with my brother, my eldest brother, who is profoundly deaf. So, when I grew up watching him, I realised he can’t hear me, he can’t speak or speak with us all as a family. When I was about 16 years old, I did some night classes to learn sign language so I could communicate with my brother. So that’s what inspired me to learn to sign and get involved and learn more about deaf culture. I thought it was really important that we try to fit into his world and not try to change him to be part of ours. But that’s where my journey started with sign. Many years ago, now, I was trying to work out the years but my maths isn’t that good, so we’ll leave it at that.
CC- Do you currently support lots of people with hearing difficulties?
H- No not as much since I came to day services. When I initially joined work within social services, I did work with a couple of gentlemen who were deaf and that’s where that journey began, but since I’ve moved to day services, not so much. That’s why when I recognised that Kieron could sign, I latched onto it to help him use it more and I’m hoping that more people will come forward and we can help them with their signing journeys as well.
CC- I totally agree.
H- Yeah
CC- A question for the pair of you. How long have you been signing together?
H-So do you remember how long it’s been since we started signing?
K- A long time
H- It was the first culture day, wasn’t it? So, would you say a year and half?
K- And a half maybe.
CC- Do you enjoy working together?
K- Yeah, yes, we do.
H- Oh that’s lovely, thank you. I waited for you to answer that first!
[Clip of performance]
CC- A question for both Kieron and Harjit, how does it make you feel to watch the performance back now?
H- How do you feel when you watch?
K- Am happy
H- Do you feel very proud? You should!
K- Yeah proud
H- We all feel very proud of you
CC- And a second question for you both, how do the audience respond to your performance?
H- So how do all the people watching- are they shocked and happy for you? And they’re clapping, aren’t they?
K- Yeah!
H- And I think you were really shocked and surprised and happy to see that on Picnic in the Park when you performed A Thousand Years there was another customer watching and signing watching you. So, it was good to see other people getting involved, wasn’t it?
CC- Kieron do you wish more people could sign?
K- Yes
CC- Last but not least, a question for the pair of you. Do you have any performances lined up?
K-Oh
H- Say watch this space, haven’t you?
K- Watch
H- It’s top secret!
CC- So thank you again, we’re wrapping up for the time being, thank you very much for tuning in!
