Impact of ASL on Deaf Culture

by Kayla

Hello. My name is Kayla and I'm in 10th grade. I am doing a project for school and I chose to focus my topic on ASL and how it has impacted Deaf Culture. I take an ASL class, but I'm still a beginner. I am very interested in the language and I'm hoping my research will deepen my knowledge and appreciation for it. I was wondering if you could contribute to my research by allowing me to interview you (through email) on how you think ASL has impacted the Deaf Culture. Please let me know if you would be willing. I have learned a lot from your website. It is very clear and organized! You did a great job! Thank you so much.

There are four questions below. You may answer them however you like. I'd love to hear all you know about the subject. Thank you so much for your time and contribution to my research!

Question #1-- How has ASL impacted you personally?

Question #2-- What is one thing you appreciate the most about ASL? (For example, opportunity, independence, education, etc.)

Question #3-- How do you think ASL has impacted the Deaf Culture?

Question #4-- Do you know of anybody in the Deaf community (past or present) whose life was drastically changed due to ASL? (If so, please describe his/her situation).

Thank you so much! I greatly appreciate it!

Answer:

Hi Kayla,

Thank you for your kind comments about my site! I'd be happy to help you with your project!

I'll try to answer your questions the best I can :)

Question #1-- How has ASL impacted you personally?

I fell in love with American Sign Language when I took my first ASL class at the local community college. I was 13 years old and just wanted to learn how to talk to this new student at my school who was deaf. The teacher was hearing, but rarely used her voice. I can honestly say that that was the most fun class I have ever taken. Learning ASL taught me so much about people and I became much more aware of the world around me. Deaf people were no longer just deaf people in the hearing world, but people who are a part of their own culture. ASL opened up the world of language to me, and because ASL is so closely tied to Deaf culture, it really opened up a whole new world as well. I became fascinated with this beautiful language and the thriving Deaf culture that most hearing people don't even know about. I enjoyed talking about ASL and Deaf culture so much (because people who are unaware have so many questions!) that I really wanted to share what I have learned with the world. My love for ASL really turned into a passion and I hope to continue what I do with my website for years to come.

Question #2-- What is one thing you appreciate the most about ASL? (For example, opportunity, independence, education, etc.)

One thing I appreciate the most about American Sign Language is what it does for deaf children. ASL is the natural language of deaf people and enables deaf people to communicate using their fully capable sense of sight. Throughout history, sign language has been oppressed by well-meaning hearing educators who have tried to force speaking and lip reading on deaf children. They forbid the use of sign language and even tied the hands of the deaf children so they couldn't sign. Most people have no idea how detrimental this is to the growth of a deaf child. I saw a documentary once that followed a couple who decided to have their deaf son learn how to speak instead of sign. I will never forget the utter frustration in that little boy's eyes. Just imagine if you didn't have a true first language--a language where you could communicate fluently and easily. I can't even imagine the frustration of deaf children who do not have sign language. Sign language not only gives children a natural mode of communication, but it also opens them up to Deaf culture. In the hearing world, deaf children are often left out of a lot of things--communication, activities, fitting in, etc. Deaf culture gives deaf children a group they can identify with, a place where they are comfortable and just like everyone else, one where they can have role models, real friends, and join sports teams. American Sign Language gives deaf children their natural world--a world where they can communicate easily and where they can be themselves.

Question #3-- How do you think ASL has impacted the Deaf Culture?

Based on everything I have learned, I have come to believe that American Sign Language is the most important part of Deaf Culture. Deaf Culture is a true culture just like any other. It has a language, beliefs, rules for behavior, traditions, and everything else every other culture has. However, without sign language, there would be no Deaf Culture. Sign language is the language that ties the culture together. American Sign Language has even impacted how deaf people are referred to. The term "deaf" refers to anyone with a hearing loss while the term "Deaf" refers to those with a hearing loss who use ASL and identify with Deaf culture. That is how much impact it has had on the lives of deaf people. Without sign language, Deaf Culture wouldn't exist and deaf people would simply be a small part of the hearing world where communication is difficult and they are seen as needing to be "fixed."

Question #4-- Do you know of anybody in the Deaf community (past or present) whose life was drastically changed due to ASL? (If so, please describe his/her situation).

No, I don't, I'm sorry. I've heard so many short personal stories of deaf people who learned ASL later in life and how, at that time, they finally found a place where they completely fit in. I don't remember an individual story, though.

I hope I answered your questions and I wish you luck on your project!

God bless,

Michelle Jay