At the beginning of this article, I must say that I am a hearing person. I do not have titles in the deaf culture. I feel compelled to write this article in response to a Funeral, which I visited recently. I took part in the false assumptions of many other people are listening to the funeral embarrassed. The purpose of this paper is to broaden the cultural understanding of deafness.
Many people are born deaf. Other deaf people in a very young age, measles, meningitis or otherDiseases. They grow up with their own language, customs, culture and pride. These are the people in this article refers, not those who lose their hearing some time after birth.
I am privileged to have friendships with a number of deaf people. I talk to them about Auslan (Australian Sign Language). I learned that there are big differences between hearing and deaf communities and cultures. I know that many people are listening to a lack of understanding of deafness. My goal isunderstanding.
The funeral was for a deaf friend of mine. I call Kurnai. E 'born deaf and proud to be deaf. He was known and respected in both the deaf and hearing communities. Both deaf and hearing people participated in his speech. A sign language interpreter was present. He interprets the hearing impaired. This was done to translate the visual sign language in spoken English. She also interpreted for the deaf people. He did it through the translation of speechLanguage Auslan.
Kurnai is deaf friends spoke of his love for the sport. They praised his football skills. They spoke of former times, when they played tricks in the school. They spoke of his smile and his love for entertaining. None of them said that he was deaf. Hearing people also spoke of some of the personal characteristics of the Kurnai. However, we have focused so much on the "terrible disability he had. They talked of how well he did, despite itsDisabilities. They were talking about how sad it was that she could not speak. If the truth was that he could not speak. His language, Auslan, is a rich expressive language.
A loving family member was surprised that Kurnai danced with her deaf friend. He had no idea that deaf people can music "feel" through the vibrations in the ground. Another thanked that he now had another life that "talk" would be able to give. Another joked that Kurnai had told him that he was satisfied that he was deaf. CropHearing community laughed in disbelief. The crop deaf smiled and nodded.
Kurnai had an incurable disease. He spent much time in consultation with the medical profession. Their disability was that he did not know his language. In their arrogance, did not deem it necessary, an interpreter at all appointments. Everyone has the right to know what is being said. Even if it's just a simple date. "My temperature, blood pressurenormal ".. It is certainly the right of patients to be able to ask these questions, the doctors would have asked about the possibility that the benefit to the patient:" How do you feel? Do you have pain? "Without an interpreter, these simple questions, no precise answer can be given. Go to the people listening to many deaf people who can understand written English and lip read. In fact, lip-reading, a skill very difficult. Those who understand and master more than 30% mayConversation. Written English uses Auslan grammar and syntax is very different. Therefore, it is very easy to interpret for deaf people misunderstanding what was written. Often smile or a wave of response. Otherwise, take a 50/50 bet to answer is "yes" or "no".
If you try to communicate with a deaf person to follow their example. In general, the gestures and facial expressions is more effective than written communication. Surely he would never try to communicate with someone whose languageEnglish with the help of written English? The same is true when communicating with deaf people. His mother tongue is not English.
Kurnai was a dear friend. The observations, that his hearing would have made friends at his funeral did not matter. As a deaf person, he had smiled and accepted the fact that no harm was intended. This is another example of the differences in our cultures. While listening to the stories of his life, I was excited by the misunderstanding. I was embarrassed bymade 'politically incorrect' statements and the hearing people. I was excited and felt the need to defend the Kurnai claim that "deafness is not a handicap.
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