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Deaf culture

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Deaf culture is the set of social beliefs, behaviors, art, literary traditions, history, values, and shared institutions of communities that are influenced by deafness and which use sign languages as the main means of communication. Deaf culture in the United States is based on American Sign Language.[1] Within the community, Deaf using a capital "D" is used to reference the cultural identity and deaf using a lowercase "d" refers to the medical condition. [2][3][4]

Members of the Deaf community tend to view deafness as a difference in human experience rather than a disability or disease.[1][5] However, deaf adults who are verbal and adults who became deaf late in life usually view it opposite of the Deaf community - as an impairment.[6] Many members take pride in their Deaf identity and consider deafness a linguistic and cultural identity.[6][7][8] Unlike some other cultures, a deaf person may join the community later in life, rather than needing to be born into it.[9][10] Deaf people, in the sense of a community or culture, can then be seen as a minority group, and therefore some who are a part of this community may feel misunderstood by those who don't know sign language. Hearing family members may need to learn sign language in order for the deaf person to feel included and supported. Although it is common for people to marry within their own culture, the Deaf community has the highest rate of intra-cultural marriages. Around 90% of deaf people marry someone who is also deaf.[6]

Cochlear Implant - A surgically implanted device used by Deaf and hard-of-hearing people to improve hearing.

There are several perspectives on deaf people and Deaf culture that shape their treatment and role in society. From a medical standpoint, many encourage Deaf children to undergo surgery. Especially in the past, the medical perspective discouraged the use of sign language because they believed it would distract from development of auditory and speech skills. From a social standpoint, Deaf individuals are welcomed to participate in society in the same manner as any other individual. This view discourages the idea that those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing are sick and in need of a cure. The social view also encourages making accommodations for deaf people so that they can fully participate in society. Such accommodations include the use of interpreters or improved closed captioning systems. Many feel, however, that the social view fails to recognize the unique qualities of Deaf people and Deaf culture. They believe that this perspective asks Deaf people to fit and find their own way in a predominantly hearing society, instead of recognizing their own abilities and culture. Another perspective is referred to as the cultural-linguistic view. Supporters of Deaf Culture state that this perspective appropriately recognizes Deaf people as a minority culture in the world with their own language and social norms. This standpoint is believed to promote Deaf people's right to collective space within society to pass on their language and culture to future generations.[1]

Being involved in the Deaf community and culturally identifying as Deaf has been shown to significantly contribute to positive self-esteem in Deaf individuals.[2] The community can provide support, easy social interaction, and "refuge from the grinding frustrations of the hearing world." Conversely, Deaf individuals who are not a part of the Deaf community are forced to conform to the hearing world, resulting in lower self-esteem.[11] Stereotypes, lack of knowledge, and negative attitudes about Deafness cause widespread discrimination.[2] This often leads to a lower education and economic status for deaf people.

The community may include hearing family members of deaf people and sign-language interpreters who identify with Deaf culture. It does not automatically include all people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.[9]

Deaf culture is recognized under Article 30, Paragraph 4 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which states that "Persons with disabilities shall be entitled, on an equal basis with others, to recognition and support of their specific cultural and linguistic identity, including sign languages and deaf culture."

Education

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In comparison to the general public, deaf people have lower levels of educational achievement.[8] Advocates in deaf education believe that an improved recognition of American Sign Language (ASL) as an official language would improve education, as well as economic status. Some argue that by improving the recognition of ASL, better access to school materials, deaf teachers, interpreters, and video-telephone communication would take place. [9]

Deaf culture is prevalent in schools for the deaf. There are k-12 schools for the deaf throughout the world and the United States, however higher education specifically for the deaf is more limited.

The "Big Three"

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Gallaudet University's Chapel Hall

Three colleges within the United States that are often identified as the best providers of higher education for deaf people. Referred to often as the "Big Three," these include California State University at Northridge (CSUN), National Technical Institute for the Deaf (part of Rochester Institute of Technology), and Gallaudet University. Gallaudet University is the first and only liberal-arts college for deaf students in the world.[12]

International Colleges for the Deaf

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Although the United States leads in higher education opportunities for the deaf, there are colleges across the globe. In Australia, there is the Victorian College for the Deaf. Brazil has several institutions, including Instituto Santa Tersinha and Escola para Crianças Surdas Rio Branco. China's deaf universities include Beijing Union University, Special Education College of Beijing University, and Zhongzhou University. Other notable universities for the deaf across the globe include Finland School for the Deaf (Finland), Institut National de Jeunes Sourds de Paris (France), Berlin School for the Deaf (Germany), and Northwest Secondary School for the Deaf (South Africa.)[13]

Social customs

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The primary basis of social customs in Deaf culture stem from the need to maintain good eye contact and visibility, and to improve the conditions of signing in order to simplify and increase comfort. These can create variation between Deaf culture and the other cultures around Deaf individuals.

Culturally Deaf people have rules of etiquette for getting attention, walking through signed conversations, leave-taking, and otherwise politely negotiating a signing environment.

  • It is customary to make and maintain steady, locked eye contact when communicating in deaf culture.[1]
  • They notify their friends before removing themselves from eyeshot (ex. Communicate that they are going to the restroom, etc.) [1]

Deaf people also keep each other informed of what is going on in one's environment. It is common to provide detailed information when leaving early or arriving late; withholding such information may be considered rude.[14] Deaf people may be more direct or blunt than their hearing counterparts.[14] When giving introductions, Deaf people typically try to find common ground. Deaf people may also consider time differently. Showing up early to large-scale events, such as lectures, is typical. This may be motivated by the need to get a seat that provides the best visual clarity for the Deaf person.

Sign languages are an important part of Deaf culture. The American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet is shown here.
  1. ^ a b c d e Lane, Harlan L.; Richard Pillard; Ulf Hedberg (2011). The People of the Eye: Deaf Ethnicity and Ancestry. Oxford University Press. p. 269. ISBN 978-0-19-975929-3.
  2. ^ a b c Hamill, Alexis C., and Catherine H. Stein. “Culture and Empowerment in the Deaf Community: An Analysis of Internet Weblogs.” Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, vol. 21, no. 5, 2011, pp. 388–406., doi:10.1002/casp.1081.
  3. ^ Padden, Carol A.; Humphries, Tom (Tom L.) (2005). Inside Deaf Culture. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. p. 1. ISBN 978-0-674-01506-7.
  4. ^ Jamie Berke (9 February 2010). "Deaf Culture - Big D Small D". About.com. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  5. ^ Ladd, Paddy (2003). Understanding Deaf Culture: In Search of Deafhood. Multilingual Matters. p. 502. ISBN 978-1-85359-545-5.
  6. ^ a b c Lane, H. “Ethnicity, Ethics, and the Deaf-World.” Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, vol. 10, no. 3, 1 July 2005, pp. 291–310., doi:10.1093/deafed/eni030.
  7. ^ James, Susan Donaldson; Huang, Grace (2006-12-13). "Deaf and Proud to Use Sign Language". ABC News. Retrieved 2015-08-31.
  8. ^ a b Christiansen, John B. “Sociological Implications of Hearing Loss.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol. 630, no. 1 Genetics of H, 1991, pp. 230–235.,doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1991.tb19592.x.
  9. ^ a b c Padden, Carol, and Tom Humphries. Deaf in America: Voices from a Culture. Harvard University Press, 2003.
  10. ^ Nash, Jeffrey E.; Nash, Anedith (1981). Deafness in Society. Toronto: LexingtonBooks. pp. 100–102.
  11. ^ Roots, James (1999). Politics of Visual Language: Deafness, Language Choice, and Political Socialization. McGill-Queen's University Press. pp. 1–6.
  12. ^ "Who We Are". Gallaudet University. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  13. ^ Tay, Phoebe. "Deaf Education Programs around the World". Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  14. ^ a b Mindess, Anna (2006). Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters. ISBN 978-1-931930-26-0.
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