ASL 2 - Culture

What are 4 subgroups within the Deaf community?

Hard of Hearing: Deaf People from the Mainstream: Grew up with mainstream families and went to mainstream schools. The Elite Deaf: High academic success; degrees, jobs, and comfortable living. The Grassroots Deaf: The "average" Deaf person; did not continue education after high school.

Name the 7 cultural identities and what each of them means. Which is the most likely to be successful?

-Balanced Bicultural: Truly comfortable in deaf and hearing communities. -Deaf-Dominant Bicultural: Comfortable in both deaf and hearing communities, but generally prefer the deaf community. -Hearing-Dominant Bicultural: Comfortable in both deaf and hearing communities, but have relatively limited contacts with deaf people. -Culturally Separate Deaf: Intentionally keeps contact with hearing people to a minimum. -Culturally Marginal: Not part of the hearing community but does not feel at ease in the deaf community. -Culturally Isolated: Isolates themself from the deaf community (pitied by the deaf community.) -Culturally Captive: Has no knowledge of the deaf community.

List the stages of cultural awareness and what each stage entails.

-Conformity: Conforming to the hearing community's expectations. -Dissonance: Exposed to positive aspects of deaf community for the first time, which triggers a reevaluation of his or her affiliation with the hearing community. -Resistance and Immersion: Individual becomes determined to learn more about their cultural identity. Want to be "as deaf as possible." -Introspection: Reexamine their cultural identity, immersing themself in deaf culture. -Awareness: Comes to terms with being deaf.

What are the 2 name sign conventions?

-Descriptive name sign: A description of his or her clearly identifiable personal characteristics or idiosyncratic behavior. -Arbitrary name sign: A neutral space is used along with the handshape of the first letter of the person's name.

What are the 3 types of social behavior? Give an explanation and example for each.

-Explicit: Explicitly stated rules or 'laws' that are decided upon and enforced. ex. Eligibility for Deaf athletic events based on level of hearing. -Tacit: Not regulated or enforced by law, but instead enforced by the community. Instinctively known and culturally accepted. ex. all the pragmatic behavior stuff -Emblematic: Not required or even expected by the community, but not shocking or inappropriate if exhibited.

Name 3 Deaf pragmatic behaviors and give an explanation and example of each.

-Leave-taking: A series of lengthy ritualized mutual good-byes. Stems from age of limited technology where plans were made for the next meeting. -Persistence in contact: It is expected that Deaf people should be persistent when attempting to contact a friend. For example, people would cautiously enter the house if there was no answer at the door. -Information sharing: Deaf people feel responsible for keeping each other informed. Letting others know of your destination: It is customary for Deaf people to "announce" their destination when leaving the room. -Reporting back: Keeping others informed of your simple actions (checked the brownies in the oven, closed the windows, etc.) -Detailed introductions: Because the Deaf community is relatively small, first introductions are usually detailed and extensive. -Name signs: Dead people (and hearing signers) receive their name signs as part of their induction into the Deaf community. -Precise descriptions: Describing someone in extreme (almost rude) detail in order to identify them as quick as possible. -Straight talk: Little to no beating around the bush. Any and all information is welcome and appreciated. -Openness: Quick to disclose personal aspects of their lives. -Desirability of Deaf children: High desirability of having deaf children is emblematic of the culture.

What are the 3 possible futures for the deaf community?

1. Thriving Deaf Community: ASL becomes more widely used, Deaf people are provided with appropriate accommodations, technology provides easier communication and information. 2. Vanishing Deaf Community: Technology advances to the point where many sources of deafness are cured. Advancements in technology eliminate the need for hearing people to learn ASL. 3. Growing Multihandicapped Community: Deaf people are grouped in with other 'handicapped' individuals and deaf culture becomes less prominent.

What are 3 of the 5 Universal Solutions?

Belonging to a Translocal and Transnational Community: Sign language communities are formed not only for ease of communication, but to provide their members with opportunities to be with like-minded fellows. "The universality of the Deaf experience" Creating Opportunities for Congregation: Centrally located meetings create a sense of belonging and camaraderie (used for information sharing.) Participating in Straight Talk: Communicating in a frank and straightforward manner/ Adopting a Can-Do Attitude: Deaf people find creative ways of demonstrating their worth, ingenious methods of communicating, and imaginative strategies for developing and maintaining relationships with those around them. Preserving the Right to Use a Signed Language: The right for signed language to be taught in schools.

Where are 2 Deaf "utopias?"

Fremont CA and Rochester NY

What is "Not Deaf Enough?" Give and example.

If someone grows up as a hearing person and becomes deaf later in the life then they are "not deaf enough" because they did not have to face all the situations and circumstances and struggles that deaf born people did. This is also used to describe the deaf individual who grew up in mainstream society/culture. They are not aware of deep background of deaf culture and they do not sign in "strong ASL" their sign is mostly influenced with English.

What is the difference between "Of" the deaf and "For" the deaf?

Of: Operated by the deaf. For: Operated by the hearing for the deaf. (try to 'remedy their hearing impairment)

What are 3 of the 5 Solutions to Effective Living? Give an example of each.

Social Activities: Deaf clubs. Athletic Events: Deaflympics. Political Function: Advocating for ASL in schools. Self-Help: Being able to buy mainstream insurance and having improved access to communication services. Special Interest Groups: Deaf Women United, Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf, etc. Spiritual/Religious Support: Deaf-lead prayer groups. Large Gatherings: DeafNation exhibitions.