Deaf Culture

Deaf Culture

Believe it or not, deaf people see deafness as a culture, not disability.

What is Deaf culture? Before I make an introduction for Deaf culture, we have to know the definition of culture in general and what things that makes it a culture. A culture is made up of patterns, products, behaviors, and beliefs coming from social, ethnic, and age group.

There are many things that Deaf culture has that make it a part of culture. I've done a lot of research on this culture, read a few books about deafness and studied Deaf culture. There are many things to learn about deaf culture. Deaf culture has sign language, art in deafness theme, creative writings, theatre, and social life that part with deafness.

To begin with sign language, sign language is what originally establishes its own culture. It is the aspect of deaf culture closely identified with deafness. There's a variety of different sign languages, not just one. Each country has its own sign language. For example, there is American Sign Language, German Sign Language, Spanish Sign Language, and Korean Sign Language.

There are many artists who are deaf, produce their art related to deafness. For instance, deaf artists create their own art in sign language theme but in a friendly way. Deaf artists could make a sign "I love you" out of clay molds, paint something that describe deaf culture, or make American Sign Language themed illustrations. Some artwork that deaf artists have done can be found on display at National Technical Institute for the Deaf's Dyer arts center in Rochester, New York.

Deaf culture has its own theatre. Deaf people produce their movies, with the use of sign language. There are actually many Deaf actors and Deaf actresses that are well-known, especially comedians that take a part in stage performances, and films. Famous Deaf people are Marlee Matlin, CJ Jones, and Keith Wann. Yet there are more famous deaf people to know.

Several deaf people already have written and established their books and poems based on their experiences as being deaf and sign language theme and deafness. Some of their books already have become required in Deaf studies classes. Deaf people write books and poems to express how they feel about hearing loss or describe deafness. Marlee Maltin is also a book author for her book, Deaf Child Crossing. Mark Drolsbaugh is another good book author for his book, Deaf Again.

There are many different forms of socialization in the deaf community. For example, in the deaf community, Deaf people always have the meetings to come to at some place such as restaurant, and Starbuck or any place that is best considered for to meet and chat. These meetings actually have a variety of names for themselves like ASL dinner, and Silent Supper.

To summarize, Deaf culture has many things that show that Deafness has its own culture. Deaf artists produce their art in sign language theme like making an "I love you" clay mold. In Deaf theatre there are actors and actresses that take a part in stages and performances. Deaf people write and publish books and poems based on their experiences as being deaf. Deaf community has a variety of different socializations such as ASL dinner and Silent Supper. Because of what I have learned, I see deafness as a culture instead of disability.