Just listen... No, look!

This short film by Anja Hiddinga, filmmaker and university researcher and teacher Dutch Sign Language, offers some insight into the historical debate surrounding the status of sign language in The Netherlands, and makes clear why the emphasis on language is so strong when it comes to the emancipation of Deaf culture. A must-see for those members of the audience who would like to know more about the history of sign language in The Netherlands. The film ends with a beautiful performance in sign language by Boaz Blume.

Dr. Anja Hiddinga is an Assisant Professor and researcher at the department of Anthropology at the the University of Amsterdam (UvA). She researches deaf culture and the way people think of handicaps and disabilities, particularly in relation to generational differences. Until recently, she spent many years as editor in chief of Woord & Gebaar, and she has two deaf sons herself.