1. Deaf Culture Series: Part I
The World of the Deaf
Deaf Culture Series:
Part I
Beth Carlson, Ph.D., Communications/Sign Language Interpreting Program, Saint Petersburg College

2. Video Preview Questions:
What do you think it would be like to be a deaf person? What would be different and what would be the same relative to hearing status?
What would you find to be the most challenging aspects about be deaf? Why?

3. Video Preview Questions:
What assumptions do you have about deaf people and how they function within a hearing world?
What are some venues in everyday life that might be considered discriminatory to a deaf person?
Beth Carlson, Ph.D., Communications/Sign Language Interpreting Program, Saint Petersburg College

4. Video Preview Questions:
When deaf parents have deaf children, how do you think they feel compared to when hearing parents have deaf children? Why?
How do you think a deaf person feels when asked if he or she can lip–read? What problems might they experience if they say that they can lip-read?

5. Video Preview Questions:
Many deaf children are sent to residential schools for their education. What are the benefits and drawbacks of such a setting for a young deaf child?
Early speech training is typical in the life of a young deaf child. How do you think speech training impacts the deaf child as an individual?

6. Video Preview Questions:
Why might deaf individuals choose not to use their voice when communicating with hearing people?
Compare and contrast human values of the deaf to those of the hearing.

7. The World of the Deaf Part I
Click on the following picture to access the link to the video
Beth Carlson, Ph.D., Communications/Sign Language Interpreting Program, Saint Petersburg College

8. Post Viewing Questions
What assumptions did you verify or disprove? Why?
What alternative assumptions were offered in this video?
How will your assumptions change as a result of viewing this video?

9. Tips on Terms ~ Stereotypes
Appropriate
Deaf
Hard of Hearing
Late-Deafened
Person with a hearing loss
Inappropriate/
Borderline
Deaf & Dumb
Deaf Mute
Hearing Impaired *implies without culture

10. Two Perspectives on Deaf People
Cultural Model Pathological Model
Deaf Persons Can!
Deaf Persons Can’t!
No difference
Inferior
Intelligence
Abilities
Unlimited
Limited
Language
ASL
Speech/Lang Delay
Deaf Culture
Deprived
Culture
Communication
Disordered
Different
Reasoning
Full Range
Lack Abstractions
Barbara Kannapell, Lecture Notes 1987

11. Membership in the Deaf Community
Audiological
Attitude
Core
Deaf
Political
Social
Individualistic
Linguistic
Collectivist

12. The Deaf Culture Encompasses
Language:
ASL/English Intercultural
Communication
Nonverbal Behavior:
Body Language/
Eye Contact
Values:
Socializing: Cherished
Pastime
Traditions: Jokes, Stories,
Deaf Folklore
Beth Carlson, Ph.D., Communications/Sign Language Interpreting Program, Saint Petersburg College

13. Cultural Misunderstandings Between Deaf and Hearing
Eye Contact
Nose wrinkling (+/-)
Nodding (understanding/go-ahead/yes)
Negation headshake (impressive vs. bad)
Size of movement (e.g. very slow/hit hard)
Touching (urgent vs. non urgent and familiar vs. not familiar)
Backchannel feedback
Tone (direct vs. indirect)

14. Developing Effective Intercultural Interaction
Communicate Respect
Be Nonjudgmental
Personalize One’s Knowledge and Perceptions
Display Empathy
Take Turns
Be tolerant
of Ambiguity
Beth Carlson, Ph.D., Communications/Sign Language Interpreting Program, Saint Petersburg College