Stephanus Pretorius
Gallaudet University
Deaf Culture
Februrary 7, 2024


Analysis of Deafhood: 
Colonialism and Deaf Communities


Abstract

The assignment will analyse the history of Deafhood, how it all started, and discuss the changes in our Deaf culture over the years. Deaf culture will be researched parallel to the Deaf experience and Colonialism. I will look at how hearing parents forced Deaf children to learn oralism to Alexander Graham Bell's idea of eugenics. For years Deaf people struggle for their freedom and rights. How it impacted Deaf people's lives in Deafhood in extremely complicated.


Colonialism and Deaf Communite

Deaf communities have been the victims of Colonization. The features of this type of Colonization are policies that aim to eradicate or marginalize Deaf organisations and were subsequently taken by non-deaf people that made decisions that were not in the best interest of Deaf people.

Sign language developed over years. An example is that European traders learned from other cultures - for example Native American signs which was incorporated into British and French sign languages as they were being formed. The original Native Sign Language for North America came full circle from America to Europe, then back to North America. Three of MVSL (Martha's Vineyard Sign Language), LSF (Langue des Signes Française) and PISL (Plains Indian Sign Language) blended together, known as ASL today (Figure 1.)

Figure 1, illustrated by Stephanus Pretorius

However even with the availability of different sign languages all over the World Deaf people were not allowed to use it. Alexander Graham Bell was born in Scotland. Bell's oralist movement halted the Deaf community from using sign language (Figure 2). He taught speech to Deaf students. The hearing people voted to support oralism. However, our sign language has never been extinct yet. Deaf people kept fighting for their rights.

"Many which did make a beginning had Oralism foisted upon them as part of their colonial inheritance, which is only now beginning to be removed" (43 page, Understanding Deaf Culture: Search of Deafhood, Ladd, Paddy)

Figure 2, illustrated by Stephanus Pretorius


Deaf Parent versus Hearing Parent

When a Deaf child is born to hearing parents it is seen as is a tragic disbability, and results in high stress. In contrast, when a Deaf children to Deaf parents, they are celebrated. 4% of Deaf children are born to Deaf parents and 96% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents. The hearing community perceives that ASL prevents language developments and deprives Deaf children of social and cultural development. This means that 96% of Deaf children start life with a disadvantage intellectually and society. (Figure 3 and 4).

Figure 3, illustrated by Stephanus Pretorius

Figure 4, illustrated by Stephanus Pretorius

Deafhood versus Deafness

Deafness is a medical/pathological term that has a negative connotation for Deaf people. For item it is about oppression by hearing people. Deafhood is a term coined by Paddy Ladd in 1993. It is an identity where a Deaf person has a positive experience of being. It promotes a journey that a Deaf person undertakes to discover his or her identity and purpose in life. It is an empowering process for a Deaf person whatever subculture they are in, in the Deaf community. It should include ALL members of a Deaf community as it free the world of audism and create a society where Deaf people experience humanity in full.


Copyright by Stephanus Pretorius written 2024


Reference

Bibiolography
Davis, Jeffery E. (2010) Hand Talk. New York: Cambridge University Press

Holcomb, Thomas K. (2023) Introduction to American Deaf Culture. New York: Oxford University Press

Ladd, Paddy. (2003). Understanding Deaf Culture: In Search of Deafhood. New York: Multilingual Matters Ltd.

Parasnis, Ila. (1996). Cultural and Language Diversity and the Deaf Experience. New York: Cambridge Press.

Websites
Linguistic Neglect of Deaf Children in the United States

Youtube videos
Celebrating Gallaudet - OurDeafCommunity - Convo, 10:26 01/02/2024, Youtube, 2.54mins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vH86zmxpE8 (Accessed 2 February 2024)

The Hidden History of "Hand Talk" 9:16 01/02/2024, Youtube, 10.11mins

TEDxlslay - Marvin Miller - Building an ASL Community, 7.00 01/02/2024, Youtube, 3.13mins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAmnGqjSB4M (Accessed 2 February 2024)

TEDxlslay - Michael Chorost - ASL: The Language of Community Communication and Visual Experience, 12.00 01/02/2024, Youtube, 18.27mins 

ASL 5 course, (TWA)
Origins of ASL, Plains Indian Sign Language, Dr. Melanie McKay-Cody, 2003

PDF
Ladd, Paddy. (2007) 2. Colonialism and Resistance: A Brief History of Deafhood

Images
Figure 1, Adobe Illustrator. Illustrated by Pretorius, Stephanus (2024)

Figure 2, Drawn by Pretorius, Stephanus (2024)

Figure 3, Excel. Illustrated by Pretorius, Stephanus (2024)

Figure 4, Excel. Illustrated by Pretorius, Stephanus (2024)

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