Immersion in Deaf Culture and ASL

[SJCSue]

Is it a good idea for a person who wants to work with the deaf and hard of hearing to be immersed in Deaf Culture and ASL? Here's a post from the Yahoo! group "The ASL Club":

"I told many people, who want to be interpeter and anyone who want to know sign language and deaf culture, that they need to immerse deaf community and learn their language and culture. Accept the way they are, then Deaf people will accept you. If you just learn sign language or become interpreter without immerse deaf community, it would be hard on deaf people."

 

[guido]

Good question! I would think that it is beneficial for anyone who intends on working with the deaf to immerse themself in deaf culture; to surround themselves with the people and language they intend on working with. Not only will it help that person understand the culture and language better, but it will also help build a relationship. I can see why one would be hesitant, though. I, myself, am considering attending Gallaudet's hearing undergraduate program. That in itself would be a big task, and one of the reasons I'm considering not doing it is because of the intimidation. I was out eating with my ASL class last night, and the subject of hardline Deaf was brought up: those who wish the hearing world would stay away and leave Deaf culture and ASL alone. The teacher brought up the subject of Laurent, SD and how it might be an excellent experience. The website for Laurent clearly states it is not intended just for Deaf and HOH, but all people who use sign language. The idea of immersion is an interesting, yet frightening notion, although I believe if it is for the right purposes, then it can be beneficial.

 

[rockdrummer]

Is it a good idea for a person who wants to work with the deaf and hard of hearing to be immersed in Deaf Culture and ASL? Here's a post from the Yahoo! group "The ASL Club":

"I told many people, who want to be interpeter and anyone who want to know sign language and deaf culture, that they need to immerse deaf community and learn their language and culture. Accept the way they are, then Deaf people will accept you. If you just learn sign language or become interpreter without immerse deaf community, it would be hard on deaf people."

I would love to do that but It's not so easy to find deaf groups. What is the best way to find deaf community in a given area?

 

[jillio]

I don't only think it is a good idea, I think it is absolutely necessary. The college where I am working and taking classes has a Deaf studies and interpreting program being taught by hearing instructors. Two of the instructors are qualified, as they participate in Deaf culture all the time. One is a CODA, the other, like me, has a Deaf son and has been exposing him to Deaf culture and sign since he was a baby. The woman who oversees the program, though, is hearing and has no exposure to Deaf culture. She has one deaf friend. She is responsible for what is taught in the classes, and so many mistakes are being made that it really makes me angry sometimes. She doesn't undertand ASL the way she should in order to teach it, and she is teaching wrong ideas about deaf people. The people she is supposed to be training as interpreters could never pass the certification exam, and the Deaf community will not accept them because of the attitudes she teaches them about the deaf. When the students go out on interpreting assignments, it is mostly into hearing classes teaching ASL to hearing students. She never even sends them out to the local school for the deaf to be exposed to Deaf students! There are so many problems with the program that it would take me a week to list them all.

Good news: I have complained to the Dean about the problems and the insulting way she is portraying the Deaf community and they are now trying to force her into retirement and revise the program. Deaf studies programs should always be overseen by people who are Deaf or who have daily contact with the Deaf community. My opinion. What does everyone else think?

 

[Ruliya]

"I told many people, who want to be interpeter and anyone who want to know sign language and deaf culture, that they need to immerse deaf community and learn their language and culture. Accept the way they are, then Deaf people will accept you. If you just learn sign language or become interpreter without immerse deaf community, it would be hard on deaf people."

I'm not interested in becoming an interpreter but I'm interested in learning how to sign ASL or learn more about deaf culture. What do I need to immerse myself in the deaf community and learn their culture? And how?

 

[Sunshine1]

I would love to do that but It's not so easy to find deaf groups. What is the best way to find deaf community in a given area?

Rockdrummer ... I will let you know when I gather information of deaf community from my Chicago friends. There is several clubs in the area. Haven't you been any of them?

 

[rockdrummer]

Rockdrummer ... I will let you know when I gather information of deaf community from my Chicago friends. There is several clubs in the area. Haven't you been any of them?

Not yet but thanks. Please PM me with the information... Thank you!!