Deaf Culture has a unique set of cultural laws. Examples of these: members of the Deaf culture are known for their bluntness. What Hearing people would view as potentially rude is considered standard communication. If a Deaf person were to say, "you've gained weight," or "your hair looks bad like that," he /she is merely stating a visual fact and in no way intending to offend. If Deaf individuals are chatting, it is culturally appropriate to walk through their conversation signing "excuse me" rather than standing outside their conversation and waiting for a break to walk through. Deaf individuals grab each other's attention by waving at each other, flashing lights, stomping on the floor, or tapping each other on the shoulder. Many aspects of Deaf Culture are unique.

The language of the Deaf Culture is beautiful. ASL is founded in images, and utilizes a unique structure, unique idiomatic expressions, and unique Signs. ASL accesses full body movements, body shifting, facial expression, pantomime, interactive positioning, symbolic shapes known as classifiers, structure defined by images, and pre-setting information, and when these elements are combined, they make some of the most beautiful images anyone has seen. ASL is unique and as a language touches the heart of the Deaf. Just as language defines many communities and cultures like French does the people of France, or Formal English exemplifies the formality of the people of England, ASL exonerates the sight based world of the Deaf.

For more information about Deafness, contact our office.