You see it every year. The stadium lights hum, the crowd goes quiet, and a singer takes center stage to belt out those familiar high notes. But lately, there is another figure standing just a few feet away, often on a small platform, moving with an intensity that rivals the vocalist. They aren't just "gesturing." They are performing the national anthem in sign language, and if you think they are just matching words to hand shapes, you’re actually missing the most important part of the story.
It’s about access. It’s about art. Honestly, it’s also about a massive cultural misunderstanding that has sparked some pretty heated debates within the Deaf community.
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For decades, the American Sign Language (ASL) version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was treated as a bit of a footnote. A nice gesture. An afterthought. But as we’ve seen in recent Super Bowl performances—think Justina Miles or Sandra Mae Frank—the "signer" is often the one who goes viral. Why? Because ASL isn't English on the hands. It is a distinct, visual-spatial language with its own grammar, syntax, and emotional depth. When someone performs the national anthem in sign language, they are translating 18th-century poetic English into a 3D visual masterpiece. It’s hard.
The ASL vs. English Conflict
Here is the thing most hearing people don't realize: English and ASL are totally different beasts. English follows a linear path. Subject, verb, object. ASL doesn't care about that structure. It uses space. It uses facial expressions—which are actually grammatical markers, not just "emotions."
When a performer approaches the national anthem, they have a choice. Do they use Signed Exact English (SEE), which follows the English word order? Or do they use true ASL? Most experts and Deaf advocates, like those at the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), push for the latter. SEE can feel clunky and robotic to a native signer. It's like reading a literal, word-for-word translation of a foreign poem; the soul gets lost in the process.
Think about the lyrics. "Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there." In English, that's a passive observation. In ASL, a skilled performer doesn't just sign "flag" and "there." They might use their body to show the endurance of the flag amidst the chaos of a bombardment. They create a visual "picture" of the scene.
Why the Super Bowl Changed Everything
The Super Bowl is basically the Olympics of anthem performances. Since 1992, the NAD has worked with the NFL to bring Deaf performers to the field. But for a long time, the television networks barely showed them. You'd get two seconds of signing, then a cutaway to a quarterback looking focused.
That changed recently.
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The 2023 performance by Justina Miles was a turning point. She didn't just stand there; she felt the rhythm. She translated the "vibe" of the song. It went viral because it was high-energy and authentic. It forced the "mainstream" audience to realize that the national anthem in sign language is a standalone performance, not a shadow of the singer. However, even with this progress, there's a lingering frustration. If you're watching at home, you often have to hunt for a "second screen" or a specific link just to see the full ASL performance. Why isn't it just part of the main broadcast? That is the question advocates are still asking.
The Technical Difficulty of "The Star-Spangled Banner"
Let's get real for a second. The anthem is a nightmare to sing, but it's arguably harder to sign. Francis Scott Key was a poet, and poets love metaphors.
Take the phrase "ramparts we watched." Most people don't even know what a rampart is. To sign this effectively, the performer has to decide: am I signing a literal wall, or am I signing the concept of protection? A "star-spangled" banner isn't just a flag with stars on it; in the context of the song, it's a symbol of survival.
- Concept over words: A good ASL performer translates the meaning, not the literal text.
- Rhythm: How do you sign "slowly" while the singer is doing a 10-second riff? You have to hold the sign, use your body to show the sustain, and keep the visual flow alive.
- Placement: In ASL, you set up "characters" or "objects" in the space around you. If the flag is "over there" in the first verse, it better be in the same spot in the second.
It’s a mental marathon.
The Performers You Should Know
It isn't just about the Super Bowl. Across the country, at high school graduations and local ballgames, this work is happening. But there are a few names that have defined the modern era of the national anthem in sign language.
Sandra Mae Frank is a huge one. Her performance alongside Mickey Guyton was praised for its poise and "operatic" feel. She didn't try to be a pop star; she was a storyteller. Then there’s Daniel Durant, who many know from the movie CODA. When he performed at the Super Bowl, he brought a level of gravitas that made people stop eating their wings and actually watch.
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These performers aren't "translators" in the way a machine is. They are actors. They are linguists. They are bridge-builders.
The Controversy: Who Gets to Sign?
This is where things get a little spicy. In the past, there have been instances where hearing people—often with very little ASL fluency—have been hired to sign the anthem because they "look the part" or have a big social media following.
To the Deaf community, this is a massive slap in the face. It's often called "Sim-Com" (Simultaneous Communication) or just bad signing. When a non-fluent person signs the national anthem, they often make gibberish. They might use signs that mean "The Star-Spangled Banana" or something equally ridiculous because they don't understand the nuances of handshape or palm orientation.
The consensus is clear: if you are going to present the national anthem in sign language, hire a Deaf performer. Period. It's about linguistic tax. Only a native or fluent signer can capture the cultural weight of the performance.
Does It Matter Which Version?
There are different "dialects" of ASL, and Black American Sign Language (BASL) also plays a role in how the anthem is interpreted. The richness of the performance changes based on the performer’s background. This isn't a "one-size-fits-all" situation. A performance in a small town in Texas might feel different than one in New York City, even if the "words" are technically the same.
How to Appreciate an ASL Anthem Performance
If you're a hearing person watching a performance of the national anthem in sign language, you might feel like you don't know what to look for. Here's a tip: look at the eyes and the chest.
In ASL, the "grammar" is on the face. A tilted head or a raised eyebrow can change the entire meaning of a sign. The chest and shoulders show the "breath" of the song. If the performer looks like they are "dancing" with their hands, they are likely doing a great job of capturing the musicality.
It's also okay to find it beautiful. You don't have to understand ASL to recognize the power of a human being using their entire body to express a concept as heavy as "freedom."
Steps Toward Better Accessibility
We are getting better at this, but we aren't there yet. If you are an event organizer or just someone who wants to support the community, there are actual things you can do.
Hire Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs)
A CDI is a professional who is Deaf and has specialized training in interpreting. They often work as a team with a hearing interpreter to ensure the translation is flawless and culturally relevant.
Ensure Proper Lighting
You would be shocked how often the ASL performer is left in the dark. If the audience can't see the hands and face clearly, the performance doesn't exist. High-contrast backgrounds are also key.
Demand Full-Screen Access
When watching a broadcast, if the signer is in a tiny "picture-in-picture" bubble, it’s not accessible. It’s a crumb. Support networks that provide a dedicated, full-screen feed of the ASL performance.
Don't "Perform" ASL if You Aren't Fluent
This goes for TikTokers and well-meaning students. ASL is a language, not a costume. Respect the language by leaving the public performances to those who have mastered it.
The national anthem in sign language is more than just a requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is a vital part of the American fabric. It reminds us that "liberty" means making sure everyone—regardless of how they hear or speak—can participate in the collective moment. Next time the music starts, take a second to look at the person signing. You might find that they are telling a much more interesting story than the person with the microphone.
Actionable Next Steps
- Watch a side-by-side comparison: Go to YouTube and look up the Super Bowl ASL performances from the last three years. Pay attention to how different performers interpret the same lyrics.
- Support Deaf artists: Follow performers like Justina Miles or Daniel Durant on social media to learn more about the intersection of performance art and ASL.
- Check local accessibility: The next time you attend a major public event, look to see if an ASL interpreter is provided for the anthem. If not, consider sending a polite note to the organizers mentioning the importance of inclusion.
- Learn the basics: If you’re interested in the language, skip the "how to sign the anthem" tutorials and start with a formal ASL Level 1 course from a Deaf-led organization like Gallaudet University or a local community college.