It is a good thing to find hearing individuals who desire to learn more about deaf culture so they can be a part of it, and also desire to learn about deaf communication to aid their communication with deaf individuals who might be family relatives, close friends, or colleagues. There is no one way by which these can be accomplished, that is learning more about deaf culture and communication. So, let’s take a look at the various ways as well as reasons why it is important for hearing individuals to learn about deaf culture and communication
Meaning of Deaf Culture and Ways to Learn Deaf Culture and Communication
If culture is the peculiar way of life of a particular group of people, we can say that Deaf Culture, a type of subculture in society, is the way of life of the deaf. The way of life of the deaf includes people (deaf individuals– the majority and hearing individuals– the minority) united by a mode of communication (sign language/ASL), behavior, values, and beliefs relevant to the deaf community. Deaf culture creates a safe environment for deaf individuals not to feel subdued or irrelevant as individuals in mainstream society.
Now that you understand the meaning of deaf culture, let’s examine ways that a hearing individual can learn the way of life of the deaf as well as deaf communication.
Recognize Deaf Individuals’ Uniqueness But Don’t Treat Them Like Something is Missing in Them
Image by Freepik
Imagine that you are constantly treated like someone who has a missing body part. Imagine people only giving acknowledgments to you based on what you ‘lack’, how will that make you feel? Constantly irritated, I guess. Well, that is exactly how deaf individuals feel when all hearing individuals around them do is amplify their hearing loss.
Recognize they suffer hearing loss quite alright, but do not make them feel less for it. In doing such, you make it possible for them to share themselves. This leads us to the other way you can learn the deaf culture
Appreciate the History and Literature of Deaf Culture
The personalities, values, and ideals that most deaf individuals share of themselves (especially those who have identified with the deaf culture around them), do not originate from thin air. They are all products of the long history, literature and arts, and language of the deaf culture and communities in their society. In appreciating the culture’s origin and past, you can better learn what the culture is all about.
Join a Deaf Community and Learn to Appreciate Their Language
To fully learn deaf culture and communication, join a deaf community close to you. Joining a deaf community simply means finding a group of people who share/practice the deaf culture. They can be found/are embedded in some community churches, schools, and other organizations.
While it might be possible to learn deaf culture and communication by yourself, you should join a deaf community to simplify the learning process and achieve better results.
You might be wondering at what point learning deaf communication is going to come up in this article. The truth is that knitted in deaf culture is deaf communication– which is sign language (ASL). You cannot learn deaf culture without learning one sign language or the other and sign language happens to be at the forefront of every deaf culture and community.
Reasons Why Hearing Individuals Should Learn More about Deaf Culture and Communication
Breaks the “First” Barrier
First and foremost, when hearing individuals are genuinely interested in learning about deaf culture and communication, it breaks the very first barrier that exists between hearing individuals and deaf individuals. This first barrier borders on the issue of equality.
Through the knowledge gained from learning about deaf culture and communication. Hearing individuals better understand that they are not superior to deaf individuals because of their hearing capacity. Once this barrier has been broken in the minds of hearing individuals, they can enjoy the other benefits that come from learning about deaf culture and communication
Breaks the “Second” Barrier
When you decide to learn the culture and language of a friend, you have, with such actions, indirectly shown how much you want to know that friend. The same applies to deaf individuals. As they see your eagerness to understand their culture and communication, they become aware of how much you care about them, how much you want to know them better, and how much you do not want their hearing loss or your hearing to stand in the way of the relationship you have with them either as a family member, work or school mate.
Shows a Level of Maturity and Openness
The willingness and readiness to learn about deaf culture and communication show a certain level of maturity and openness on the part of the hearing individuals who embark on this journey. It is like going out of your way to learn a new culture and language even when you can count on your fingers the number of people you will share the culture and language with. Pursuing this path nonetheless indicates selflessness– a major attribute of personal growth and the ability to embrace people ‘different from you.’
Creates a Doorway for Unique Opportunities
Hearing individuals from learning about deaf culture and communication can be able to communicate with deaf individuals wherever they meet them. The notion that one will never be in the company of deaf people no longer holds because one never knows how many deaf people will cross their paths before one’s lifetime is over. Why not prepare in advance?
Most importantly, hearing individuals can be gap fillers in places/situations where deaf culture and communication are not well-known and understood. This is aside from the personal benefits they may derive through career opportunities lined up for them because of their knowledge and expertise in deaf communication.
Conclusion
Embark on learning deaf culture and communication today and do well to join a deaf community around you. Get ready to learn the sign language used by that deaf community. In the United States, ASL is the sign language used.
Remember your acceptance and learning of the language used by deaf individuals show how much you care and are willing to know them.
SignBee Academy has great ASL learning resources to set you on the right path to learning ASL proficiently.
Thumbnail Photo Credit to: Image by Freepik
