Sign Language Rules

Guidelines for Participating in Sign Language:

A participant will learn to sign the lyrics of a song or the words of a scripture. The eligible songs and passages to be signed at the LTCSW convention are chosen by the event director. These selections are inspired by the current LTCSW theme.

• Participants may choose one of the following:
  1. SINGLE SONG: sign one of the selected songs (the participant chooses the song).
  2. SKILL CHALLENGE: at the time of the event, the song selection will be made by the event director without the prior knowledge of the participant. The song chosen will be one of the three featured selections chosen for the convention.
  3. SUPER CHALLENGE: the experienced signer may choose to be challenged by having an unknown song given to them to sign. The event director will give the signer a song that is NOT one of the featured selections for the convention. The participant will be given 15-20 minutes to prepare before signing the selection. You may use resources available to you (i.e., online ASL dictionaries or watching someone else sign on YouTube). An “Advanced Signing” award will be given for this event.
  4. SCRIPTURE CHALLENGE: a recording of the scripture will be played, and the participant will sign the passage.
• A participant may use any official signing style, including ASL (American Sign Language), SEE (Signing Exact English), or or any blending as long as the signs are clear and the message of the song or Scripture is accurately conveyed.
• A participant must introduce their performance by fingerspelling their name, LTCSW participant number, and the title of the song (participants in grades 3-4 are required to fingerspell their name and LTCSW number only). The scripture reference is given during the performance.
• Spectators may not enter or leave the room while participants are signing.
• Participants many be a spectator at any time in order to encourage friends and family members. however a participant who is a spectator will be disqualified if they sign during the judging of another participant.
• A practice room will be available for those who like to practice while waiting for their turn to perform. You will be notified when it is your turn.
• In the past, each group of participants was called in alphabetical order. Starting in 2024, a randomizer will be used to order each grouping of participants. Check the posted session schedule for your placement.
• If a parent has a conflict and needs their participant’s placement on the session schedule changed, please see the event director prior to the start of the session.
• Applause from spectators is appropriate as a display of appreciation.
• Bibles and songbooks will not be provided for the participants. Participants will be disqualified if spectators give signs during judging.
• If a participant is in need of special assistance or consideration, inform the event director so that an accommodation can be arranged.
• Selection of clothing worn to the performance is important. Clothing should be solid colors that contrast with your skin and not too bold or patterned. You want to give a neutral backdrop for your signs. Also, please avoid lower-cut shirts/blouses/dresses or midriffs (or shirts that show your tummy if you raise your hands) as your hands get lost since they blend with your skin. Avoid anything distracting such as bracelets, large rings, large earrings, necklaces or dresses that hike up past mid-thigh when you raise your arms.

Signing Selections for 2024:

Participants may choose between these songs to sign for the 2025 LTCSW Convention:

• Easy Song: “”
• Medium Song: “”
• Hard Song: “”

Participants may also choose to sign _____ (from New American Standard Bible 1995).

 

Judging Criteria:

Sign Language performances will be evaluated by three judges.

• The judging criteria for Sign Language includes:
  1. (5 Points) Appearance: includes appropriateness of clothing (see notes above).
  2. (10 Points) Introduction: includes fingerspelling of name, LTCSW participant number, title of song/Bible reference. Exception: Participants in grades 3-4 are only required to fingerspell their name and LTCSW number, but may do more if desired.
  3. (20 Points) Clear Signs: includes hand shapes and placement, distinct and smooth.
  4. (10 Points) Eye Contact: includes ability to look at the audience while signing and not staring at the floor.
  5. (20 Points) Expression: includes mouthing words and body language. (Singing or speaking out loud with the audio recording is permitted).
  6. (10 Points) Confidence: includes body posture, smile, and ease/tension.
  7. (25 Points) Understandability: includes the ease of interpreting the signing performance as a whole and the appropriateness of the signer’s overall style.
• An award rating will be assigned based on the point average among the three judges.
• As a general rule, awards will be assigned accordingly: GOLD, 95-100 points; SILVER, 85-94 points; BRONZE, 70-84 points; and NO AWARD, 0-69 points.
• The event director reserves the discretion to assign the final award.

 

Resources:

• Video Recordings for Training:
  1. The audio recordings will be released at a future date in MP3 format. The recordings will be exactly the same as what will be used at the convention. Each congregation is encouraged to download the songs and write them to a CD or load them on an MP3 player. This way the participants will be able to practice with exactly what they will be hearing at the convention.
  2. The URL links to these recordings will be announced on the LTCSW website as soon as they are made available.

• Video Instruction: If you are a congregation with children who wish to participate in this event, but there is no one qualified to teach them the signs to the songs or Scripture, a set of videos are available to assist. The videos will contain instruction on general signing and the alphabet. They will also include instruction on how to do the introduction and each song as well as the Scripture.
  1. The videos are structured so that a participant could learn the songs or Scripture all on their own. That, however, is the hardest way to do this. The videos are best used with the aid of an adult or friend that can critique and guide. Using the videos, this person does not have to be skilled in sign language themselves. They just need to be willing to encourage, watch and compare with what is in the video.
  2. It could also be used by a leader who knows sign language but is rusty and just needs some help getting started. One could fill in the missing signs from their own vocabulary and then feel confident to teach the children themselves.
  3. The videos are only a guide, not a standard. The judges will not be using any of the content of the videos to determine the correctness of signing. If signs or interpretation differ from what is in the videos, that is okay.