Deaf Culture Is Different: Working with the Deaf Community—Nothing About Us, Without Us!
Date of Award
7-22-2012
Document Type
Undergraduate Capstone Project
Degree Name
Master of Professional Studies
Organizational Unit
University College, Communication Managament
Disciplines
Organiz. & Prof. Communication
First Advisor
Amy Kelsall
Keywords
Deaf culture, American sign language, Nothing about us without us, Hofstede's theory, Individualism versus collectivism, Direct versus face saving, Deafness, Comprehensive language, Deaf education
Abstract
American Deaf culture consists of a nationwide community of 500,000 people who use American Sign Language (ASL). Their culture often goes unrecognized. Hofstede's Cultural Theory values are utilized to evaluate face-saving versus directness and individualism versus collectivism from the perspectives of members of the Deaf community, especially as a possible exception to Hofstede's view of concurrent traits. The research process, while seeking examples of misunderstanding or conflict with the historically more powerful hearing majority, and the results, demonstrate cultural differences. Recommendations are made for working with members of the Deaf community, in particular regarding linguistic autonomy of Deaf children and cultural autonomy of adults with particular emphasis on recent developments within and the historic attacks on the Deaf community.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.
Recommended Citation
Munch, Catherine Richardson, "Deaf Culture Is Different: Working with the Deaf Community—Nothing About Us, Without Us!" (2012). University College: Communication Management Capstones. 84.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/ucol_comm/84