Intercultural
Communication not only affects the Hearing World but it also
affects the Deaf World. Knowing sign language is not the same
as knowing Deaf Culture.
Just like
there is a Hearing Culture within the American Culture, Spanish
Cultures, Asian Cultures, etc. there is also a Deaf Culture
within each of these different cultures. And the Deaf culture
differs depending on which country you visit.
Some American
Deaf Culture characteristics would be:
Attention Getters
DEAF
Turn the lights on & off
(groups)
Tap on the shoulder, stomp
on the floor, wave your hand
HEARING
Hey! (groups)
Call the persons name
Social Habits
Eye contact (often)
Visually expressive
Facial expression is key to
understanding the language
Shake hands in the air for
applause
Pointing at someone is necessary
for the language
Eye contact (less often)
Verbally expressive
Vocal inflection is key to
understanding the language
Clap hands for applause
Pointing at someone is considered
rude
For more
information on Deaf Culture check out these sites:
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status, gender, age, religion, national origin or disability. Contact the
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305.237.2051 for information.
