Deaf Culture
PEPNet Tipsheet
DEAF CU
Deaf Culture LTURE
Deaf Culture
Comparison of Values:
It often comes as a surprise to people that many deaf people
The most dominant cultural pattern in the United States is
refer to themselves as being members of Deaf culture. The
individualism. Most Americans have been raised to consider
American Deaf culture is a unique linguistic minority that
themselves as separate individuals who are exclusively responsible
uses American Sign Language (ASL) as its primary mode of
for their own lives. Common phrases that reflect this cultural
communication. This tipsheet provides a description of Deaf
pattern are “Do your own thing,” “Look out for number one,”
culture and suggestions for effective communication.
and “I did it my way.” For example, when Americans introduce
themselves, they feel it is important to include their name and
Common terms used within the Deaf community:
occupation, which serve to emphasize their uniqueness. Closely
The American Deaf culture has labels for identifying its members.
associated with individualism is the importance Americans place
These labels reflect both cultural values and beliefs.
on privacy. Americans have “personal space” and “personal
thoughts.” They find it odd if a person does not value “being
Deaf - This term refers to members of the Deaf community who
alone.”
share common values, norms, traditions, language, and behaviors.
Deaf people do not perceive themselves as having lost something
In contrast, one of the most dominant cultural patterns in the
(i.e., hearing) and do not think of themselves as handicapped,
Deaf culture is collectivism. Deaf people consider themselves
impaired, or disabled. They celebrate and cherish their culture
members of a group that includes all Deaf people. They perceive
because it gives them the unique privilege of sharing a common
themselves as a close-knit and interconnected group. Deaf
history and language. Deaf people are considered a linguistic
people greatly enjoy being in the company of other Deaf people
minority within the American culture. They have their own
and actively seek ways to do this. When Deaf people first meet,
culture and at the same time live and work within the dominant
the initial goal is to find out where the other person is from and
American culture.
to identify the Deaf friends they both have in common.
Deaf, hard of hearing, and deafened - Within the Deaf culture
A person’s physical appearance is noted and remembered
these words refer to a person’s audiological status. Notice lower
because it is the landscape for all signed communication.
case “d’” is used. People who describe themselves as “hard of
Sometimes a person’s name may not come up until the end
hearing” or “deafened” do not see themselves as members of the
of the conversation. Closely associated with collectivism is
Deaf culture. Some may know sign language but their primary
the importance of open communication. Having secrets or
language is English.
withholding information work against an interconnected
collective.
Hearing Impaired - This term often is used by the media and
society in general to refer to people with a hearing loss. A more
The behaviors associated with cultural values are deeply rooted.
acceptable generic phrase is “deaf and hard of hearing” to refer to
We do not consciously think about the rules involved when
all people with a hearing loss. Within the Deaf culture, the term
making introductions or how to say goodbye when we leave. As
“hearing impaired” often is seen as offensive. It suggests that Deaf
children we saw these behaviors repeated often and have long
people are “broken” or “inferior” because they do not hear.
since fully incorporated them into our cultural repertoire. It is
only when we are placed in a culture that uses different rules
Hearing - Within the Deaf culture the term “hearing” is used
that we realize there is another possible way to accomplish
to identify people who are members of the dominant American
the same task. For example, when a Deaf person leaves a
culture. One might think the ASL sign for “hearing” is related to
gathering of other Deaf people, the process is quite lengthy. In
the group’s ability to hear (e.g., pointing to the ear). However,
Deaf cultureone approaches each group to say goodbye, which
the sign for “hearing” is related to the ability to “talk.” The act
often results in further conversation. The entire process may
of talking is clearly visible to Deaf people, whereas listening or
take more than an hour to accomplish. This behavior may seem
hearing is not. From the Deaf culture perspective, it is the act of
unusual; however, if we remember that Deaf culture highly values
“talking” that clearly separates the two groups.
being interconnected with all of its members, the behavior makes
a great deal of sense.
American Sign Language:
2) It’s okay to write to a Deaf person. The Deaf person will
Another important cultural value for Deaf people is their
appreciate your effort even more if you use a combination
language - ASL. Most Deaf people spend the majority of their lives
of gestures, facial expressions, body language, and written
with people who do not know ASL. It is only when Deaf people
communication. Some Deaf people can lip read very well. If
are in the presence of other Deaf people that all communication
one approach doesn’t work, try another. If the Deaf person
barriers are removed.
uses her/his voice and you don’t understand, it’s fine to
indicate the person should write.
It is obvious to most people that ASL is a visual language. What
3) Most people engage in very quick and efficient conversations.
is not so obvious is how the visual nature of the language impacts
We often lose patience when someone is having
on the rules for communication. In spoken languages there is no
difficulty understanding. We look for ways to speed up
requirement for eye contact between the speaker and listener. In
the interaction. Deaf people highly value face-to-face
fact, we spend very little time looking at each other. We are not
communication and perceive it as an investment, not an
used to maintaining eye contact for long periods of time. Also,
imposition. Take the time to communicate and connect.
we often allow environmental noises to take our attention and
If the Deaf person does not understand, she or he will
we divert our eyes. In a signed conversation the “listener” must
ask questions. If you do not understand the Deaf person,
always look at the “speaker.” From the Deaf perspective, broken
stop the conversation and ask for clarification. Never fake
eye contact or the lack of eye contact shows indifference.
understanding or say, “Never mind, it’s not important.” No
matter how trivial, share the information.
Most hearing people do not freely and effectively use their
4) Deaf people listen with their eyes. A Deaf person cannot
face and body to communicate, so Deaf people see their
look at an object and at the same time listen to you describe
communication as lifeless and lacking emotion.
how to use it. Only talk when you have eye contact with the
Deaf person.
Facial expression and body language are integral parts of ASL.
5) Many Deaf people will use a sign language interpreter.
Deaf people have an exceptional ability to use and read nonverbal
You should speak directly to the Deaf person, not to the
communication. They pick up on very subtle facial and body
interpreter, and maintain eye contact with the Deaf person.
movements. An important aspect of body language is the use of
This will feel awkward because the Deaf person will be
“touch.” Touching another person is used in Deaf culture to greet,
looking at the interpreter, not you, but it will be noticed and
say goodbye, get attention, and express emotion.
appreciated by the Deaf person.
6) Some people are reluctant to attempt to communicate
Guidelines for Communication:
directly with a Deaf person when they use an interpreter.
1) Most peope feel uncomfortable when meeting a Deaf
Use the beginning and end of the conversation as an
person for the first time. This is very normal. When we
opportunity for direct communication with the Deaf
communicate with people, we generally don’t have to think
person. When you take the initiative to shake hands, make
about the process. When faced with a Deaf person, we are
eye contact, use gestures, touch and/or smile, you are
uncertain which rules apply. We don’t know where to look,
communicating in a visual and tactile manner.
or how fast or loud to speak. When the Deaf person gives
us a look of confusion, we don’t know how to correct the
Please note these guidelines aren’t meant to be an inclusive list
problem. Accept the fact that your initial communications
in working with culturally Deaf people, but a starting point for
will feel uncomfortable and awkward. As you interact more,
improved conditions.
you will start to feel more comfortable and know how to
make yourself understood.
For more information, contact:
This PEPNet Tipsheet was written
PEPNet-Northeast
by Professor Linda Siple, Assistant
Professor Leslie Greer, and Associate
Rochester Institute of Technology
Professor Barbra Ray Holcomb, al of the
585-475-6433 (V/TTY)
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Department of American Sign Language
585-475-7660 (Fax)
and Interpreting Education, National
52 Lomb Memorial Drive
pepnetnortheast@pepnet.org
Technical Institute for the Deaf, Rochester
Rochester, NY 14623-5604
www.pepnet.org
Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY.
PEPNet, a collaboration of four regional centers, is supported by cooperative agreements with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The contents herein do not necessarily
represent the Department of Education’s policy nor endorsement by the Federal Government. Published 2004.
