Insights

Signing in the Streets: Interview with Deaf Actress Linda Bove

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Linda Bove, from New Jersey and born in 1945, quickly became affectionately known in the hearts of young Americans as “Linda the Librarian.” Linda made her Sesame Street debut in Season 2 in 1971. Suddenly ASL was in the living room of thousands of homes across the country thanks to the work of Linda Bove.

Linda not only made an impact by teaching basic American Sign Language on the show, but also challenged common misconceptions about Deaf individuals and their abilities, all while powerfully expanding the representation of Deaf culture. Linda used her role to portray the normalcy of the day-to-day lives of Deaf individuals and how little differences there truly are between hearing and Deaf individuals. She taught young characters how to sign from everyday readings such as road signs. Check out an example of this from one episode below.

Bove’s advocacy for entire representation beyond her deafness encouraged show writers to show life beyond her signing and even display friendships, romantic relationships, and work for her character. Most importantly, Linda’s role displayed opportunity for meaningful cooperation and cohabitation between Linda and her hearing neighbors, coworkers, and friends, regardless of any ability or inability to hear. The following scene displays this representation of a love interest singing Linda a song with the help of a friend interpreting.

Linda capitalized on this profound notoriety with a series of children’s books authored in partnership with Sesame Street including “Sign Me a Story,” “Sign Language Fun,” and “Sign Language ABC” featured below. Bove’s vast professional impact displayed that all forms of entertainment should reflect the diversity of its audience.

After leaving the show in 2004, Bove earned the record of holding the longest running television role of a Deaf character in history. Her impact only continued to grow with new opportunities for advocacy and Deaf empowerment. DSU founder Diana Kautzky had the opportunity to sit down with Linda to dive deeper into her start in acting and her advocacy and work beyond the big screen. Watch the full interview below!

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Q&A

1. Who is Linda Bove and what is her significance in Deaf culture?
Linda Bove is a Deaf American actress best known for portraying Linda the Librarian on the PBS children’s series Sesame Street from 1971 to 2002. She made history as the first Deaf performer to join the show’s recurring cast, introducing American Sign Language (ASL) to a generation of viewers and significantly contributing to the visibility and representation of Deaf individuals in media.

2. How did Linda Bove’s role on Sesame Street challenge misconceptions about Deaf individuals?
Through her character, Linda not only taught basic ASL but also depicted the everyday lives of Deaf individuals, highlighting their normalcy and capabilities. Her portrayal included engaging in romantic relationships, holding a job, and interacting with hearing neighbors, thereby challenging stereotypes and promoting a more inclusive understanding of Deaf culture.

3. What educational materials did Linda Bove contribute to?
Linda Bove co-authored several children’s books in partnership with Sesame Street, including “Sign Me a Story,” “Sign Language Fun,” and “Sign Language ABC.” These resources aimed to teach young audiences about ASL and Deaf culture in an engaging and accessible manner.

4. What impact did Linda Bove have on television representation of Deaf individuals?
Bove’s portrayal of Linda the Librarian set a precedent for authentic representation of Deaf characters on television. Her role demonstrated that Deaf individuals lead full, active lives and deserve to be depicted as such in media, paving the way for more inclusive casting and storytelling in the entertainment industry.

5. How can I learn more about Linda Bove’s contributions and legacy?
To delve deeper into Linda Bove’s impact on Deaf culture and her work, you can watch the full interview conducted by Deaf Services Unlimited, where she discusses her experiences and advocacy efforts. The interview provides valuable insights into her journey and the broader context of Deaf representation in media.