Some Differences Between Deaf and Hearing Worlds
There are many differences between the Deaf world and the
hearing world. This list is by no means exhaustive, just illustrative.
Deaf humor – Since much of hearing humor is based on word
play, the Deaf do not “get it” most of the time. Many times Deaf
humor is just as “interesting” to our hearing minds. So as to not
feel out of place, many deaf people will laugh when the see everyone
else laughing, but in reality, they did not get the joke.
Deaf language – The language of the Deaf is a visual/gesturebased
language. Deaf have their own idiomatic expressions.
American Sign Language is a recognized foreign language in
many states and schools. It is based on hand shapes, movements,
sign placement and location, facial expressions and their
intensity as well as gestures.
Hearing language depends mostly on tone, volume and the formation
as well as timing of sounds. It also uses expressions and
body language.
Deaf are naturally frank and undiplomatic – They tell
you what they think. Deaf people are notoriously straightforward
in their conversations and expressions. If you ask their
opinion (and even if you don’t), be prepared to get it! Understand,
they DO NOT mean to intentionally hurt or harm with
their words. They just lack the cultural and social graces that we
hearing people enjoy and expect because of our language and
culture.
Deaf are visually stimulated – This is for obvious reasons.
Hearing folks are visually AND aurally stimulated.
Deaf music is rhythm or beat-based – Deaf music has
three elements – timing, flow and coordination. Hearing music
has three elements as well – melody, harmony and rhythm.
Deaf are very cliquish – They tend to be wary of new people
entering their culture. Once in, hearing people are generally
well accepted as long as they maintain their respect for the culture
of the Deaf.
Deaf tend to have difficultly with forgetting wrongs or
offenses even after forgiveness – This is a strong difficulty
to overcome. Confidence is easy to gain, but once lost, it is very
difficult to regain.
Deaf will generally be slower learners – It is the process of
learning that is slower as one of the primary stimuli for learning
is absent – hearing. They can learn the same things as hearing
but depending on the concept being taught, it may take considerably
longer to get it across, especially if it is an abstract concept.
Deaf think differently – The average deaf person generally
does not think in words or sentences but in visual concepts.
Highly educated Deaf however, can and do think much like
hearing people.
Taken from Into the Silence by Bro. Joe Kotvas
Missionary to the Deaf serving in Lima, Peru.
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