As a hearing person, how much do you know about the Deaf culture? What does it mean to be deaf? Your interaction with the Deaf community is largely dependent on how you answer both of these questions. If you are always around someone who has already lost their hearing ability, it is important to learn about their culture. Let us have a look at some of the facts that you might need to consider.
The main difference between the two communities lies in the ways of communication. When two Deaf people communicate, they concentrate more on facial expressions than their hand movements. Facial expressions have a huge impact on the meaning of the message being relayed; the same effects as tonal variations.
There are some words that can be considered rude in the hearing community. For instance, telling someone they have gained weight. A Deaf person will directly make the statement known. If you are not aware of their directness, you might interpret this method as rude or disrespectful.
Have you ever noticed a Deaf person banging the table or tapping on the shoulder? This is a technique they use to attract attention. If you are looking to get their attention, avoid waving in front of their face or aggressively jabbing them. You can, instead, tap the shoulder of the person you want to communicate, flashing the lights, or waving in their peripheral if you’re walking from behind. If it is a group of people, consider flashing the lights.
There are some similarities to note between cultures: Hearing people use either international or native languages to pass their messages verbally. Similarly, Deaf communities from different countries have varying sign languages. For example, to be able to communicate with a Deaf person in England, you will need to learn British Sign Langauge. It is also important to note that spoken and sign languages do not share histories.
Which is the most surprising fact you’ve learned about Deaf Culture? Let us know in the comments below. You can also send us your feedback via our social media pages.
