Protecting and Interpreting Deaf Culture | Glenna Cooper | TEDxTulsaCC

Summary

The speaker, a Deaf individual, shares their journey growing up in a predominantly hearing world, emphasizing the importance of early access to American Sign Language (ASL) for Deaf children. They describe the challenges of being forced to learn to speak and read lips, and highlight the cultural differences between Deaf and hearing communities. The speaker also reflects on the historical oppression of sign language, the resurgence of ASL, and the importance of Deaf interpreters. They advocate for a world where ASL is fully embraced, fostering unity and inclusion.

Takeaways

• 👂 The speaker is Deaf and explains how their parents discovered this when they were 18 months old.
• 🩺 Doctors advised the speaker's parents not to teach them sign language, believing it would isolate them from the hearing community.
• 🗣️ The speaker learned to read lips and speak to fit into hearing society, but found communication difficult and frustrating.
• 🔤 The speaker emphasizes the importance of Deaf babies having access to a first language, particularly American Sign Language (ASL), for proper language development.
• ✊ The speaker is proud to be Deaf and values ASL, which opened up the world for them and is a vital part of their identity and culture.
• 📚 The history of Deaf education includes the American School for the Deaf and Gallaudet University, which played key roles in providing education for Deaf individuals.
• ⚔️ In 1880, a significant event occurred at the Second International Congress on Education of the Deaf in Milan, where sign language was banned, leading to the firing of Deaf teachers and a decline in Deaf opportunities.
• 📜 ASL was later proven to be its own language in the 1960s by Dr. William Stokoe, who showed it has its own grammar, syntax, and structure, independent of English.
• 🤝 The speaker discusses the importance of interpreters in bridging the gap between Deaf and hearing communities, with a recent increase in Deaf interpreters.
• 💡 The speaker reflects on a hypothetical world where sign language was never banned, suggesting that Deaf and hearing individuals could have shared one cohesive world without communication barriers.

Q & A

What was the doctor's advice to the speaker's parents regarding sign language, and how did it impact the speaker's early life?

The doctor advised the speaker's parents not to teach her sign language, as it might isolate her from the hearing community. This led the speaker to grow up learning to speak and read lips in order to fit into hearing society, which was very challenging and frustrating for her.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of Deaf babies learning American Sign Language (ASL) early in life?

The speaker stresses that Deaf babies need to learn ASL early because it's a natural, visual language for them. It is critical for their language development and forms the basis for communication. Once they have a strong foundation in ASL, they can later learn to speak and read lips.

How does the speaker describe Deaf culture in contrast to hearing culture?

The speaker describes Deaf culture as being more direct and detail-oriented compared to hearing culture. Deaf people tend to share more information and be very blunt, while hearing people are generally more polite or reserved. For example, Deaf people will openly comment on someone gaining weight, whereas hearing people might avoid such comments.

What is the significance of the five-stage goodbye in Deaf culture?

The five-stage goodbye reflects how much Deaf people value information sharing and community. When Deaf friends gather, their goodbyes are extended, often lasting a long time and moving from the table to the parking lot, continuing to talk. This is part of their cultural emphasis on exchanging detailed information.

What major event in 1880 dramatically changed the Deaf community, according to the speaker?

In 1880, the Second International Congress on Education of the Deaf in Milan voted to forbid sign language, mandating that Deaf children learn to speak and read lips. This led to a dark era where Deaf teachers were fired, and Deaf students were forced into oralism, drastically reducing their opportunities.

How did Dr. William Stokoe contribute to the recognition of American Sign Language as a legitimate language?

Dr. William Stokoe, an English professor at Gallaudet University, researched and proved that American Sign Language is a fully developed language with its own grammar, syntax, and structure. His work demonstrated that ASL is not just a derivative of English but a distinct language.

What role did Martha's Vineyard play in Deaf history, according to the speaker?

Martha's Vineyard had a high rate of hereditary Deafness, and everyone on the island, both hearing and Deaf, used sign language. This created a cohesive community where Deaf individuals were fully included and experienced no communication barriers.

What was the 'Golden Era' of the Deaf community, and how did it end?

The 'Golden Era' refers to a time when Deaf people had access to education, were successful business owners, and led lives on equal footing with hearing people. This era ended after the 1880 vote in Milan, which led to the suppression of sign language and the rise of oralism, pushing Deaf people out of educational and professional opportunities.

What was the result of the Deaf community's struggle to protect sign language in the years following the 1880 Congress?

Following the 1880 Congress, Deaf individuals experienced oppression and discrimination, with many job opportunities disappearing. However, in 1960, Dr. William Stokoe's research helped to revive ASL, bringing the Deaf community back to recognizing and using their own language.

How does the speaker imagine a world where the 1880 vote against sign language never happened?

The speaker imagines a world where hearing and Deaf people could communicate without barriers, much like the integrated community of Martha's Vineyard. If the vote had never happened, sign language might have been universally accepted, and interpreters would not be necessary. Deaf people would have continued to thrive in education and society without the divide.