Hold My Hand, a ground-breaking dating show, is making headlines for being the first of its kind to exclusively use British Sign Language (BSL) for communication. This unique show aims not only to provide entertainment, but also to challenge misconceptions about deaf relationships, and celebrate BSL as a distinct language and culture.
Presented on Lumo TV, a streaming platform led by deaf individuals and intended for sign language users, the show aims to change the perception that BSL is an afterthought in mainstream entertainment, according to CEO Camilla Arnold. Hold My Hand, she says, seeks to reinvent reality TV by putting BSL in the spotlight.
The show is hosted by Hermon and Heroda Berhane, deaf identical twins who also serve as presenters. Contestants on the show include deaf individuals as well as children of deaf adults, known as Codas, who used BSL to communicate with their parents. As Heroda Berhane highlights, the show allows viewers to see the deaf culture, identity, and nuanced ways of communication.
Heroda and her sister hope the show will dispel misconceptions about BSL. Research indicates that 71% of young people aged 18-24 wouldn’t feel comfortable dating someone who primarily communicates using BSL. The Berhane twins aim to challenge this, portraying BSL as simply another language and encouraging greater openness from hearing audiences.
The first three episodes of Hold My Hand include light-hearted games and open conversations about relationships and intimacy. It also features a dedicated episode for LGBT+ singles. The hosts hope to show that deaf individuals share the same experiences as hearing individuals, including love, joy, flirtation, and vulnerability.
Hermon Berhane also emphasizes the need for mutual learning and understanding. She articulates this by stating that although we may speak different languages—one audible, one visual—we can still communicate and learn from each other.
Increased representation of deaf individuals extends to children’s television as well. In an upcoming Peppa Pig episode, Peppa’s younger brother George will be diagnosed as moderately deaf and receive a hearing aid. The storyline was developed in collaboration with the National Deaf Children’s Society to ensure an authentic depiction of deafness.
Such visibility is important for the estimated 50,000 deaf children living in the UK, advocates say. By presenting deafness and BSL in a positive light, shows like Hold My Hand and Peppa Pig can help to foster understanding and acceptance in the wider community.
