Millicent Simmonds Stands By Disney For Choosing Not To Use Subtitles To Translate ASL on ‘Andi Mack’

In the next new episodes of Andi Mack, Millicent Simmonds will be recurring on the show as Libby, Jonah’s new girlfriend.

The episodes will focus on how Libby and Andi (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) get along after both of them have dated Jonah (Asher Angel), and a lot on how ASL plays a big part in communication.

While Jonah keeps texting to communicate with Libby, Andi does not and learns some phrases to talk with Libby.

Andi Mack made the decision to not show subtitles to translate and there’s a important reason for that: “We wanted [Millicent’s] dialogue to be like any other dialogue on the show, and we knew that subtitles would defeat the purpose of the message her character portrays,” show creator Terri Minsky told Teen Vogue.

And it’s a decision Millicent stands behind.

“[Subtitles] would be distracting from the relationships that were taking place and forming,” she shared. “It’s also more fun for kids to watch it and try to understand the sign language. I think that it could be easily understood by them if they put the pieces together.”

Millicent added, “American Sign Language is a language. It’s fun to learn, and it’s different from other languages because you use your hands, you use your face, your facial expressions, and there is also an incredible culture that comes with it and an amazing community too, and through that, we can support each other.”

Andi Mack airs Fridays @ 8PM ET/PT on Disney Channel.

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