Deaf Mother and Daughters Celebrate Life and Communication Through Sign Language

Hagit Edri, deaf since birth due to her mother contracting measles during pregnancy, recently experienced a joyful family event where her daughters translated song lyrics into sign language while dancing, allowing her to feel connected despite not hearing any sound. Hagit expressed deep emotion about understanding the songs through her daughters' live translations, which helped her feel less isolated from her surroundings.

The interview with Hagit and her daughter Ornit took place just before Ornit's wedding, where sign language was again central. Ornit, who grew up with deaf parents, described the unique experience of being a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), often acting as a bridge between her parents and the hearing world. Hagit emphasized that she raised her daughters not to feel obligated to translate for her but to do so only when comfortable, avoiding pressure.

At Ornit's wedding, two sign language interpreters accompanied the ceremony to include both deaf and hearing guests, with Ornit committed to translating moments for her parents to ensure they felt part of the celebration. Hagit advocates for widespread sign language education, especially in schools, as essential for communication and inclusion.

Music and dancing remain vital in the Edri family. Hagit developed a personal method to sense music rhythm through observing others and feeling vibrations, allowing her to dance joyfully with her family. Ornit and her husband, fluent in sign language, plan to teach their children the language from birth, continuing the family tradition.

Hagit’s final message stresses raising awareness about the deaf community and the importance of making environments accessible through sign language, highlighting it as the primary communication method for many deaf individuals.