Make sure you have your ASL notebook, paper, and a writing utensil at your seat when the bell rings! Today we’re talking about CULTURE!!! YAY!!!
Introduction to Deaf Culture Ms. Katie O’Brien American Sign Language I Clear Lake High School
Deaf? What is the definition of deaf? Someone who has a hearing loss A medical label What is the definition of “Deaf”? Someone who identifies themselves as a member of the “Deaf Community” Involved in the culture
What is Culture? Culture is the shared values, beliefs, traditions, history, language, experiences, and sometimes oppression of a group of people The “majority culture” of the United States are Caucasian protestants; all other groups are considered minority cultures Those with political control are considered the majority culture; demographics has nothing to do with it
The Deaf Community? Deaf Culture? Deaf culture is the shared values, beliefs, traditions, history, language, experiences, and oppression of Deaf people Who is in the Deaf community? Deaf people Family members Interpreters Deaf Educators ASL Educators ASL Students – Welcome!
Deaf Community At A Glance ASL Students Interpreters Deaf DoD Advocates Family Members Deaf Educator ASL Instructor
Shared History Deaf people in the United States consider the year 1817 to be the beginning of modern Deaf culture Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc are the “Fathers of Deaf Culture” in the United States The American School for the Deaf, established in Hartford, Connecticut, 1817
Thomas Gallaudet Noticed a neighbor’s daughter he saw playing alone Learned that she was deaf and decided to start a school for her Traveled to Europe in search of a way to teach her Meet Laurent Clerc in France
Thomas Gallaudet and Alice Cogswell Statue of Gallaudet and Alice at Gallaudet University
Gallaudet’s Time in Europe Visited the Braidwood School for the Deaf in England. Braidwood School was a “Family Business,” and Gallaudet was given the cold shoulder. Meet a French Educator who agreed to teach him how to educate Deaf people. When Gallaudet was ready to return to the states, he convinced Laurent Clerc to join him.
Laurent Clerc Traveled to America with Gallaudet to help establish a school for Deaf children there Legend states that he learned written English in month it took for the ship to get to America The ship he traveled on, the Mary Augusta, is known as the “Mayflower of the Deaf”
Shared Oppression DEAF PRESIDENT NOW! Deaf people have long been oppressed by hearing people who thought Deaf people were incapable of caring for themselves The oppression of Deaf people continues today; however, Deaf people are winning their independence DEAF PRESIDENT NOW!
Gallaudet University for the Deaf The first and only liberal arts university in the world for Deaf people Located in Washington, D.C. Charter signed by Abraham Lincoln The site of the now-famous “Deaf President Now” protest in 1988
Shared Traditions Deaf clubs Deaf schools Storytelling Used to be the only way to get information, see movies, make phone calls Dwindling and/or changing form Deaf schools Passing on of language, traditions, history TSD Some states have closed their institutes due to low enrollment Storytelling ABC stories Traditional stories ASL Poetry Ben Bahan, Author of “A Bird of a Different Feather”
Are you a part of Deaf culture? ASL students are considered a part of Deaf culture; you attend a class daily that includes many cultural behaviors You interact with Deaf people at social gatherings and other Deaf events You learn about Deaf culture and share those traditions with other people YOU ARE DEAF CULTURE!
Pictures for PowerPoint from… www.amazon.com www.audioleisure.com www.gallaudet.edu www.tsd.state.tx.us Picture of Hands taken by Dustin Koch Clear Lake High School ASL III Class, 2005-2006