Deaf culture

Deaf Culture is social group of people who consider deafness to be a difference in human experience, rather than a disability. When used in the cultural sense, the word deaf is very often capitalized in writing, and referred to as "big D Deaf".“It is not the extent of hearing loss that defines a member of the Deaf Community but the individual's own sense of identity and resultant actions” [1]

Big D Deaf communities do not automatically include all those who are clinically or legally deaf, nor do they exclude hearing people. According to Charlotte Baker-Shrek and Carol Padden, a person is Deaf if he or she "identifies him/herself as a member of the Deaf community, and other members accept that person as a part of the community."[2] Deaf culture includes anyone who shares its language, beliefs, and behaviors and is often composed of those who attended deaf schools, children of deaf parents, and sign language interpreters.

The primary language of those who identify themselves as Deaf is signed. Deaf communities also often possess social and cultural norms that are distinct from those of surrounding hearing communities.

Contents

Background

Merikartano's school for deaf people in Oulu

The use of the cultural label of being Deaf can be a declaration of personal identity rather than an indicator of hearing ability. [3]

As deafness is a relatively rare condition, relationships within a Deaf community can extend over great distances to bring people together, primarily the use of signed languages. Signed languages are distinct from local spoken and written languages.

People who are part of Deaf culture typically use a sign language (such as American Sign Language) as their primary language and often emphatically see themselves as not disabled, but rather as members of a cultural or language minority.[4] Members of this group use Deaf as a label of cultural identity much more than as an expression of hearing status. Hearing or hard of hearing people may also be considered culturally Deaf if they participate in Deaf culture and share Deaf cultural values; this is sometimes referred as 'attitudinal deafness'.[2]

There are differing opinions over which terms should be used to describe deaf people. Many deaf people find the term hearing-impaired to be outdated and highly offensive, and express frustration that hearing people believe the term to be polite. Many deaf people often prefer to be called either deaf or hard of hearing.[5]

Acquiring Deaf Culture

Many people parallel the Deaf experience to other minority groups’ struggles to obtain equal treatment in a majority dominated world. However, an interesting aspect of Deaf culture is that “only 10 percent of the Deaf population acquires [their culture] from their Deaf families.” [2] This means that the acquisition of culture must be obtained outside of the nuclear family. Culture, for the Deaf community, is derived from their attendance to residential schools for the deaf. “The image of family [is used to] describe their school experience” [6] However, with residential schools in decline and with the idea of mainstreaming becoming more and more popular, Deaf people “gravitate to the Deaf community” [1] to maintain their link to Deaf culture.

Because of strong wave of oralist teachings were dominating within residential schools at the beginning of the 20th century, forbidding the use of any signed languages within school boundaries, the Deaf began establishing Deaf clubs. These are considered “the second of two traditional Deaf cultural sites.” [1] Club activities, sports and field trips, were considered ways of unifying the community. Clubs offered a space to which the Deaf community could attribute their culture.

Becoming Deaf (culturally) can occur at many different times for different people, depending on the circumstances of one’s life. Those with Deaf parents acquire their culture from birth (although this is a small percentage of the wider Deaf community). Others learn about their culture through attendance at residential schools, and yet others may not be exposed to Deaf culture until college or a time after that. [1]

Important to remember there is “not just one homogenous Deaf culture” [1] There are many facets to Deaf culture on a worldwide scale, and even just on a national scale. Within American Deaf culture there is African American Deaf culture, Gay and Lesbian Deaf culture, Deaf Women culture, Latino American Deaf culture, American Indian Deaf culture, among many other subcultures within the United States’ borders.

Diversity in Deaf Culture

Within American Deaf culture, there are many other cultures that fall under this category. The interesting thing to note about this is the duality of cultural identity. " A 1989 study found that 87 percent of black Deaf people polled identified with their Black culture first...'[they] believe that society views them as black first because of the high visibility of skin color.'" [1] Deaf women are also beginning to establish their own discourse within the Deaf culture. Up until now the perspective on American Deaf culture has been from a patriarchal viewpoint, dominated by the white male; however, currently steps are being made to show the wide variation within this cultural minority.

Deaf Culture vs. Cochlear Implant?

With the rise of scientific and technological advancements, along with the Western mentality to "fix the problem of deafness," many people are concerned that the cochlear implant, hearing aids, and other "normalizing" technologies will soon eradicate the presence of Deaf culture. However, on the the opposing side, people argue that "the cochlear implant does not threaten Deaf culture...[and that it is a greater threat] to reject prospective members just because they used to hear, because their parents chose an implant for them, because they find environmental sound useful,etc." [7] Although it is argued that cochlear implants improve "the perception of sound," they do not, however, cure deafness. So this is where the controversy lies--some people fearing the end of Deaf culture through medical and technological advancements, and others wanting to accept the choice of utilizing the technology to benefit (from their perspective) their way of living.

Terminology

The word "deaf"

The word deaf is used differently in different contexts, and there is some controversy over its meaning and implications.

Scientific usage

In scientific and medical terms, deafness generally refers to a physical condition characterized by lack of sensitivity to sound. Notated as deaf with a lowercase d, this refers to the audiological experience of someone who is partially or wholly lacking hearing.[4] In legal terms, deafness is defined by degree of hearing loss. These degrees include profound or total deafness (90 dB - 120 dB or more of hearing loss), severe (60 dB - 90 dB), moderate (30 dB - 60 dB), and mild deafness (10 dB - 30 dB of hearing loss). Both severe and moderate deafness can be referred to as partial deafness or as hard of hearing, while mild deafness is usually called hard of hearing.

Cultural usage

Within the Deaf community, the term Deaf is often capitalized when written, and it refers to a linguistic minority whose primary language is signed, and who practice social and cultural norms which are distinct from those of the surrounding hearing community. This community does not automatically include all those who are clinically or legally deaf, nor does it exclude every hearing person. According to Baker and Padden, it includes any person or persons who "identifies him/herself as a member of the Deaf community, and other members accept that person as a part of the community."[2]

Deaf vs. hard of hearing vs. hearing-impaired

Deaf generally implies a profound loss of hearing; someone with a partial loss of hearing is more likely to be referred to as hard of hearing or the qualified partially legally deaf. People with varying degrees of hearing loss have also been referred to as hearing-impaired.

The term hard of hearing may be used to describe all degrees of hearing loss up to and including total deafness. It is more likely to be used by individuals who have lost their hearing as an adult, than by those who lose it as an infant or are born deaf. In the case of profound deafness this may be political correctness, a euphemism for the simpler and accurate "deaf." Interestingly, this is seen as a euphemism only from the side of the mainstream. The Deaf community does not generally aspire to be hearing and sees the hard of hearing label as an indication of a mindset that views them pathologically.

Total deafness is quite rare. Most deaf people can hear a little.[8] However, since hearing loss is generally frequency-based rather than amplitude-based, a deaf person's hearing may not be usable, if the normal frequencies of speech lie in the impaired range.

People with a moderate hearing loss, of about 36–50 dB,[9] generally describe themselves as "partially deaf." Others who were born hearing, but who have partially lost their hearing through illness or injury are "deafened." Those with a slight hearing loss (eg. about 16–35 dB hearing loss),[9] or have lost some of their hearing in old age may prefer an informal term such as "hard of hearing" or "hearing-impaired".

Those with some functional hearing generally do not take part in the Deaf community, and typically work and socialize with hearing people to the best of their ability. People with all degrees of hearing impairment may encounter discrimination when looking for work, while at their jobs, or when socializing with hearing people.

Other meanings of 'deaf'

Deaf is also used in a metaphorical sense to refer to a recalcitrant individual or someone unwilling to listen, obey or acknowledge an authority or partner. The third line of Shakespeare's Sonnet 29 provides an example:

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,

The phrase "tone deaf" refers to someone who lacks relative pitch, or the ability to distinguish between musical notes.

Cultural expectations

Apart from using sign language, Deaf Culture has typical behaviors and manners that define its social norms.

In American Deaf Culture...

-The use of American Sign Language (ASL) versus others manual languages such as Signed Exact English (SEE). It is important to note here that ASL is a separate language from English, and the Deaf community rejects English-like signing.

-It is important in Deaf culture to maintain a high awareness of all that is going on in one’s environment. This emphasizes the importance of keeping all people informed. “Deaf people do not have access to the noises that clue us in to what others are doing when out of view” [1] It is common in Deaf cultures to provide extra information when leaving early or arriving late. To withhold information is considered rude. [1]

-Introductions are an important aspect of Deaf culture. This exhibits the effort to find common ground. “The search for connections is the search for connectedness” [1] Because the Deaf community is considered a family, it is important to draw connects, interweaving all its members together into a close knit group.

-Time is also considered in a different light for the Deaf community. Showing up early to large scale events, such as lectures, is typical. This is motivated by the need to get a seat that provides the best visual clarity for the Deaf person. However, at Deaf social events, such as parties, it is common for Deaf people to stay for elongated amounts of time, for the solidarity and conversations at social gatherings for the Deaf are valued by Deaf culture. This can be explained by the fact that the Deaf community stretches throughout the entire country, so to gather means that a lot of 'catching up' is necessary.

-Since Deaf people gain no enjoyment from music, it is considered rude to discuss the topic, or to play it at social gatherings; it is considered divisive, since those Deaf people who have partial hearing, and those who can hear, may be able to enjoy the music whilst those who have complete or near-complete hearing loss will be unable to. Similarly, dancing to music is considered improper at Deaf social gatherings, since the dances will be interpreted differently by individuals depending on their level of hearing, and therefore the practice is considered divisive. (Interpretive dance set to no musical backing, however, is very popular).

- A positive attitude toward deafness is also expected within the Deaf community. In Deaf culture, deafness is not considered a condition that needs to be fixed. One must also realize the importance of ASL to the Deaf community. ASL represents the liberation of language minority, oppressed for many years by the turmoil of oralist teachings. That is why the language is so precious to the identity of the Deaf community. [1]

Language barriers

Deaf students inside the classroom of a special school for the hard of hearing in Baghdad, Iraq (April 2004).

Worldwide, Deaf people are divided by language barriers, just as hearing people. In the case of the English language, which is the primary language of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, the dominant sign language differs in each of these areas—British Sign Language, American Sign Language, and Auslan, respectively. Each of these languages has a distinct grammar and vocabulary making them mutually unintelligible.

Children of deaf adults

Main article: Child of deaf adult

Children of deaf adults (CODAs) with normal hearing ability may consider themselves, and be considered, culturally Deaf or as members of the Deaf community. In some cases they may need speech therapy due to limited exposure to spoken language. An organization, also called CODA, was established in 1983 and now holds annual conferences. There are also support groups for Deaf parents who may be concerned about raising their hearing children, as well as support groups for adult CODAs.

There are also several camps established for CODAs, such as the one at Camp Mark Seven which hosts two separate 2-week programs for CODAs, one from age 9 to 12 and one for CODAs from age 13 to 16 and it usually occurs during the summer, from the last week of June to mid-August.

Notable children of deaf adults

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Mindess, Anna (2006). Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Baker, C.; C. Padden (1978). American Sign Language: A look at its Story Structure and Community. 
  3. ↑ See disability for a discussion of the social model of disability as opposed to the medical model of impairment.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ladd, Paddy (2003). Understanding Deaf Culture: In Search of Deafhood. 
  5. ↑ Deaflinx, "Identity"
  6. ↑ Ladd, Paddy (2003). Understanding Deaf Culture: In Search of Deafhood. 
  7. ↑ Woodcock, Kathryn (1992). Deaf Culture vs. Cochlear Implant? from Deaf World. 
  8. ↑ Gallaudet University: Demographics of Deafness
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Description of Degree of Hearing Loss Versus Potential Effects, HandsAndVoices.org, http://www.handsandvoices.org/resources/coGuide/05_Lossvseffct.htm 

Further reading

See also

From Deafness article

External links

From Deafness article