ASL 390 final exam

Personal Differences (6)

Different levels of hearing Different personal histories associated with sign language usage Different educational and communicative backgrounds Different degrees of parental acceptance and support Different degrees of identification with other Deaf people

Biological Factor

As "people of the eye," Deaf people are naturally attracted to the visual arts. People who sign, regardless of their hearing status, are found to have superior visual perception processing. This may be an underlying reason for the accomplished work of Deaf artists. Deaf people have been noted for their gifted observation skills. Their desire to communicate experiences back to the world in a visually accessible manner explains the existence of the strong Deaf artist community.

Deaf Actresses

Marlee Matlin Phyllis Frelich Linda Bove

Explicit (social behavior)

Not many behaviors in Deaf culture are written down or regulated by formal policies. Those that are official tend to deal with the value of self-determination and communication access.

Audism

The notion that one is superior based on one's ability to hear or behaves in the manner of one who hears.

Negative Views

1. Almost 200 years ago, Deaf people tried to dissociate themselves from the disabled community by eliminating the word "Asylum" from educational settings serving Deaf children. 2. During the 20th century, the NAD leaders wanted Deaf peddlers and beggars arrested for casting such a negative image on Deaf individuals who were otherwise perfectly capable of finding jobs and making contributions to society.

Deaf stories teach Deaf people 4 things...

1. Storytellers teach Deaf people by giving them a sense of identity and a sense of belonging 2. Provides ways of interpreting and comprehending the world collectively, facilitating the survival of their culture 3. Stories teach Deaf people how to resist obstacles in their environment 4. Teaches Deaf people how to take risks that may be beneficial to their intellectual, cultural, and psychological growth, and how to develop their imaginations and creativity

Being Deaf in a predominately hearing world...

1. Without access to Deaf adults and their historically created solutions, deaf children are left extremely disadvantaged in their struggle to develop language, build an effective communication system, obtain world knowledge, develop self esteem, and learn how to deal with potential discrimination and oppression. 2. The lack of educational opportunities, a bleak employment picture, and isolating effect have been well documented, all of which can be attributed to lack of exposure to solutions available within the Deaf community.

Affirmation De'VIA

ASL Affiliation Acculturation Acceptance Deafhood Empowerment

Kernel Stories

ASL signer giving lectures often start with a personal story embodying the main points to be made. For example, the Deaf presenter tells the story of his own name sign, how he got it, and how it related to his family's name sign. Then he explains how the story reflects the usage of name signs in ASL.

Poems/Poetry (different hand shapes)

Alphabetical Handshape: poem/story is recited using the alphabetical hand shapes starting with A and ending with Z. Numeral Handshapes: poem/story is recited using the number hand shapes in sequential order, 1-10. Particular Handshape: poem/story is recited using only one or two hand shapes. Worded Handshapes: poem/story is recited using the alphabetic hand shape that corresponds with how the English word is spelled.

Resistance De'VIA

Audism Oralism Mainstreaming Cochlear Implants Identity Confusion Eugencies

Perspective #2

Because of limited access to information on multiculturalism, Deaf people are more conservative regarding diversity than their fellow hearing Americans. In this perspective, Deaf people of color or those from a minority background often face discrimination and exclusion, even within the Deaf community. The Deaf community is not free of bigotry, and much like other Americans, Deaf individuals are influenced by the environments in which they were raised and where they currently reside.

Disability

By being perceived as disabled, ill-conceived solutions have been applied to them as an effort to remedy their so called deficiencies. With the label of disability comes the focus on "fixing" deafness even if Deaf people themselves do not perceive themselves as in need of being fixed.

"One Deaf" Stories

Combination of cautionary tales, success stories, and tales about a fictional Deaf leader. These stories start with the words "One Deaf" and with the word "Well" as in, "Well, what do you make of that?" This kind of ending invites the audience to consider not only the feelings of the Deaf person, but to also see the deeper truth.

De'VIA

Deaf View/Image Art Concept: to increase the visibility and focus on the uniqueness of work by Deaf artists

Other unique factors that influence diversity

Deaf education programs and schools are usually regional, serving students from a large geographical area. This often results in Deaf children from various backgrounds receiving their education together and being exposed to a variety of different cultures that may not exist in their own neighborhoods. Students that attend these schools come from rural and urban areas, and come from a variety of cultural, ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds, allowing Deaf students unique opportunities to develop friendships with members of diverse groups.

Deaf Humor

Deaf humor is an important part of ASL literature, and it is culturally based because in their jokes the Deaf person is the protagonist and sometimes the jokes are at the expense of hearing people. The Deaf person comes out on top because of his/her deafness. Deaf humor is understood and appreciated if the listener has knowledge of the culture. Detail is crucial in humor because it reflects how Deaf people see the world.

The Elite Deaf

Deaf professional, middle-class individuals who have college degrees, hold professional jobs, and make a comfortable living.

Deafness should be considered...

Deafness should be considered as an ethnicity, with cultural features including... feeling of a community norms for behavior distinct values culture-specific knowledge customs social structures language art forms kinship

Different styles of Visual Art (3)

General Art: includes pieces by Deaf artists that do not contain any reference to the Deaf community or Deaf culture can include landscapes or portraits Deaf Culture Art: includes work that may appear to be general art at first, but includes specific details that carry special meanings only to those who are involved in the Deaf community Art about Deaf Experiences contains work in which artists express their feelings about, views of, and experiences associated with being Deaf themes of being oppressed & isolated by their non-signing families and educators are commonly portrayed in this category discovering Deaf communities, gaining access to a visual language, and becoming a member of a group also appears as frequent themes in this category

Hard-of-Hearing

Hard-of-Hearing individuals make up a significant component of the Deaf community. Unlike the members of the Hard-of-Hearing community who identify themselves primarily by their ability to hear and speak, these Hard-of-Hearing members of the Deaf community usually sign fluently and play down the fact that they can speak and hear.

Success Stories

In general, the Deaf protagonist grows up in a hearing environment and has never met any Deaf people. He meets a Deaf person who teaches him sign language and the ways of the Deaf world. He becomes increasingly involved in that world and leaves his past behind him. These Deaf success stories reinforce the belief that it is good & right to be Deaf, in the same way Americans support and encourage the American dream.

Tactic (social behavior)

Most expectations typically found in the Deaf community are tactic. These expectations are expected of members in the Deaf community, but they are not necessarily written in any by-law or policies. Behaviors include: leave talking, keeping others informed, detailed instructions, and name signs.

The Grassroots Deaf

Most of these individuals did not or could not continue their education beyond high school. It is the "average" Deaf people that make up the majority of the Deaf people.

NTD

Nation Theater of the Deaf

Emblematic (social behavior)

Not all Deaf people employ these behaviors, but it would not be unusual to experience or witness such actions within the Deaf community. Behaviors include: straight talk (blunt), openness ("open book"), and a desire for Deaf children.

Performing Arts

Performing traditions were initially establish at the first school for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. American Deaf theater typically tends towards more intimate style, which allows for a close connection between actors and spectators.

Deaf Jokes

Play off the linguistic factors in ASL i.e giant story Deaf humor is visually active & linguistically funny

Literature

Prior to the recognition of ASL as a language, ASL stories, poetry, riddles, and other Deaf folklore were limited to the Deaf clubs, Deaf schools, and the home of the Deaf. ASL literature is being mass-produced, marketed, and distributed, primarily due to the prevalence of ASL classes and the availability of video technology. ASL literature focuses on work created and/or presented in ASL and it is an important component of Deaf literature. Deaf people raised money in the 90's to finance a project to film and document presentations and performances made by a master ASL user (i.e Deaf jams) Filmmakers recorded Deaf people's narratives in ASL. Today, these films serve as the sole and earliest documentation of ASL literature. The films include poetry performances, personal narratives, skits, and presentations.

Linguisticism

Refers to the denial of American Sign Language in the lives of Deaf people, especially within educational settings. Describes the false belief that ASL contributes to the difficulties in learning English among Deaf children, and should not be used by parents and educators.

What does De'VIA represent

Represents Deaf artists & perceptions based on their Deaf experiences. It uses formal art elements with the intention of expressing innate culture or physical Deaf experience.

Hearing Jokes

Show dependency or emphasis on sound which is NOT Deaf humor i.e vacuum joke

Deaf Storytelling

Storytelling in ASL can be described as a combination of gestures, mime, signs, and facial expressions. ASL storytelling is like painting a visual picture of a tale, it also provides a structure for Deaf people's perspectives (without storytelling our Deaf selves would die). Also storytelling emerged historically at residential schools for Deaf students.

Ableism

Term coined by the disabled community to depict discrimination experienced by people with disabilities.

Perspective #1

The Deaf community is accepting of differences. Since ASL and the Deaf experience are the common bonds that hold Deaf people together, all racial, religious, sexual orientations, and other personal or cultural differences become secondary. As a result, the Deaf community is perceived to be extremely tolerant and supportive of various lifestyles and backgrounds that exist among Deaf individuals

What does the Legend of Origins story symbolize? (Abbe de L'Epee)

The legend symbolizes the transition from a world in which Deaf people live in isolation to one in which they participate in a cultural, social, and linguistic group.

Community Differences (4)

The presence of a Deaf school The number of Gallaudet University & NTID alumni living in the area The racial and ethnic diversity that exists The size of the Deaf community itself In this sense, there is not just one Deaf community, but many Deaf communities, all of which collectively make up the American Deaf community

Folklore

The traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth. They are passed down through humor/jokes/riddles, stories/literature, poems/personal experience narratives, and rhythmic performances (such as ritual clapping). Deaf folklore is important to the Deaf community because it helps develop ones pride in his/her Deaf identity and Deaf culture.