Deaf Culture and American Sign Language

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(HELLO)

What is “Deaf,” “deaf,” & “ASL?”

• To be Deaf (CAPITAL D), is to be without the ability to hear; however, people who are Deaf include themselves in the Deaf community and culture.

• A deaf (LOWER CASE d) person is also one who cannot hear, BUT they do not include themselves in Deaf culture. They just consider their deafness to be medically related and try to function in regular hearing culture.

• ASL (American Sign Language) is the VISUAL language that those who are Deaf and interpreters for the Deaf use to communicate

History

• Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet is the “Father of Sign Language” in the USA

• Gallaudet brought with him from England, a deaf student named Laurent Clerc to help him with deaf-education

• In 1817, they established the first ever College University for Deaf students in the USA in Hartford, Connecticut

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ASL Alphabet

CAN YOU TRY TO SPELL YOUR

NAME?

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Interpreters

• Interpreters are people who translate spoken and heard words into ASL

• They help those who are Deaf to understand what they cannot hear

• ASL is the 5th most studied language• Interpreters need to be very highly trained in ASL

interpretation and must be able to communicate the right meanings of words that are being spoken

• Example: the word “Run” has over 100 meanings in English! An interpreter must be able to communicate the right meaning to the person they are translating to

ASL• ASL is not just the use of the

alphabet• ASL has words, tenses, numbers,

phrases…• Here are some signs for you to

learn so that you can communicate more easily with people who are deaf

ASL SIGNS

MY NAME IS

PLEASE THANK YOU

FAMILY

SCHOOL

->X2

MOM DAD

HOUSE

Tips for you• Make sure that the person who is deaf is able to see who is

talking at all times• Sit in a semi-circle so that the person who is deaf can see

everyone’s face• Use visual aids (pictures, posters, objects…) when possible • Make sure to point to any visual aid you are using so the person

who is deaf knows what you are talking about• Be aware of background noise levels, because some people who

are deaf or hard-of-hearing need to be able to hear what is being spoken clearly without distraction

How to talk to a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing

• Face the person• Get the person’s attention

before starting the conversation

• Speak up, but do not shout • Speak slowly and clearly …

don’t overemphasize • Rephrase rather than repeat

a misunderstood sentence • Cut out background noise by

moving away from or turning off TV or radio or any other background noises

• Gestures and facial expressions can help communication, as can eye contact

• Do not obscure our mouth with your hand and avoid chewing food when speaking

• Ask the person what can be done to make communication easier

• Make sure you have the person’s attention before speaking

• Position yourself in good light so your face is visible

• Gestures and facial expressions can help communication, as can eye contact

• Find the most appropriate mode of communication: sign language, interpreter, written notes, gestures, and slow, clear speech

http://faculty.valenciacc.edu/arasmussen/General_Info/how_to_talk_to_deaf.htm

WORKS CITED

• http://www.lifeprint.com/index.htm

• http://faculty.valenciacc.edu/arasmussen/General_Info/how_to_talk_to_deaf.htm

• The Book of Signing: A Handbook for Words and Phrases, by: Christopher Brown, Copyright 2004, PRC Publishing Limited