She can’t hear the music; Her daughters make sure she never misses it

This feature highlights the experiences of Hagit, a deaf mother, and her daughters who translate music lyrics into sign language during family events. It explores the unique role of 'Children of Deaf Adults' (CODAs) who often act as intermediaries for their parents in daily life.
Why it matters
It sheds light on the lived experiences of the Deaf community and the vital role of family support in fostering inclusion.
In the video, they can be seen dancing together — mother and daughters — at a joyful family event. The daughters are singing the song playing in the background, but their hands are busy with something else: They are translating the lyrics into sign language for their mother, Hagit, in real time, without stopping dancing. Hagit was born deaf. Her mother contracted rubella during her pregnancy and, as a result, Hagit cannot hear anything. Despite this, during that moving moment at the event hall, she felt included. “I was very moved that my daughters translated the lyrics of the songs playing in the background for me,” she explains in sign language, while her daughter Oranit, sitting beside her, translates her words for us. “It was so important for me to understand what the song was about and what the lyrics said,” Hagit adds.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in