There are many misconceptions when comparing deaf Culture vs hearing culture. Some people think that deaf culture is inferior to hearing culture or a sad way to live. This could not be further from the truth! Deaf culture is vibrant, with its unique language, history, and customs. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between Deaf Culture and Hearing Culture and dispel some myths surrounding them.
What Is Deaf Culture?
Deaf culture is a complex social phenomenon that cannot be easily defined. In general, Deaf culture refers to people who are deaf or hard of hearing because of hearing loss and share a common language (American Sign Language), values, and traditions. Deaf culture is not about being disabled but about belonging to a community with its unique way of life. There are multiple dating websites for deaf people.
What Is Hearing Culture?
On the other hand, hearing culture is the dominant cultural group in the United States. This group consists of people who can hear and communicate orally. Hearing culture values spoken communication above all else and often views deafness as a disability that needs to be fixed. Because they do not use ASL, members of hearing culture are often not aware of Deaf culture and its customs.
Deaf Culture vs Hearing Culture
Following are some of the major differences between deaf culture and hearing culture.
The Deaf Community Is Vibrant and Rich
One common misconception about deaf culture is that it is sad or depressing. This could not be further from the truth! The Deaf community is quite vibrant. Deaf people have their language (American Sign Language), history, and traditions. Deaf culture is not about being disabled; it is about belonging to a community with its unique way of life. Deaf people often view their hearing counterparts as the ones who are missing out, not them. There are colleges dedicated to deaf or hearing-impaired individuals.
Hearing Culture Often Views Deafness as a Disability
Another common misconception about deaf culture is that hearing people are more accepting of them than hearing people. This is not always the case. While there are certainly hearing people who accept the deaf culture, many view deafness as a disability that needs to be fixed. Hearing culture often values spoken communication above all else, and members of this group often do not use ASL or know much about Deaf culture.
Deaf People Can Be Very Direct
One of the most striking differences between Deaf culture and hearing culture is how communication occurs. Deaf people are often very direct in their communication while hearing people tend to be more indirect. For example, a Deaf person might say “I’m hungry” instead of “I would like something to eat.” This directness can be off-putting to members of hearing culture, which is used to more indirect forms of communication.
Body Language
Another difference between Deaf culture and hearing culture is the importance of body language. In Deaf culture, body language is an important part of communication. Deaf people often use facial expressions and gestures to communicate their meaning. This can be confusing for members of hearing culture, which is not used to reading these cues.
Sign Language Isn’t Universal
One of the biggest misconceptions about Deaf culture is that all Deaf people use sign language. This is simply not true. While most Deaf people use sign language, many do not. Deaf people often communicate using various methods, including written English, lip-reading, and fingerspelling.
Direct Language
One of the most striking differences between Deaf culture and hearing culture is how communication occurs. Deaf people are often very direct in their communication while hearing people tend to be more indirect. For example, a Deaf person might refer to someone as a person with a big nose, which would be an accurate description of the person. Whereas in hearing culture, this would be considered rude.
Eye Contact
When watching Deaf people sign, you’ll notice that they communicate by looking at each other’s faces rather than their hands. People learning to sign frequently focus on the signer’s hands, which appear odd and can obstruct good communication. This is because, in sign language, facial emotions are just as crucial as hand gestures for communication and can significantly impact the meaning delivered.
Being Deaf Isn’t A Disability
Deaf people often view their hearing counterparts as the ones who are missing out, not them. Deaf culture is not about being disabled; it is about belonging to a community with its unique way of life. Deaf people have their language (American Sign Language), history, and traditions.
While there are certainly hearing people who accept the deaf culture, many view deafness as a disability that needs to be fixed. Hearing culture often values spoken communication above all else, and members of this group often do not use ASL or know much about Deaf culture.
Conclusion
While Deaf culture and hearing culture have some similarities, there are also many striking differences between the two. Deaf people often communicate directly, using body language and facial expressions. They also frequently use sign language, though this is not universal.
Deaf culture is not about being disabled; it is about belonging to a community with its own unique way of life. Deaf people have their own language (American Sign Language), history, and traditions. Understanding these differences can help hearing people be more accepting and inclusive of Deaf culture.
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