Should we call ourselves “ASL People”?
Recently, there have been a few vlogs discussing the idea of replacing “Deaf” with “ASL” due to the perceived negative stigma of “Deaf” among Hearing people. In this vlog, I take a look at different cultural groups and their names, the power of choosing one’s own name, and Deaf culture and identity itself in answer to the question “Should we call ourselves “ASL People”?
- Reference cited: Modern Language Association Study
X said,
August 20, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
why not you go ahead vlog on deafvideotv
Deafchipmunk said,
August 20, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
Don
Excellent argument! You said it all.
I still have not made up my mind about making my vlog. I am still thinking about posting it or not.
I am very concerned about people who are viewing on “Deaf” as a negative term. In my view, they are audists or are even promoting audism. That has to be stopped.
Deafchip
Aidan Mack said,
August 20, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
Thanks for your vlog.. Beautiful Said! I really enjoy your vlogs… Keep them coming in.
)
Aidan
Carl Schroeder said,
August 20, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
Hello,
I wouldn’t call myself ASL person. I think I am ASL bilingual, ASL user, ASL professor, etc. Americans are English speakers, not English people.
Carl
DrDonG said,
August 20, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
X –
I wouldn’t mind posting on DVTV, but I really don’t have the time to watch and respond to all comments on video…. when people take 4 – 10 minutes to make their comments, it does add up….
DeafChip and Aidan — Thanks! (Aidan, you had nice points too)
Carl — Yes, we are Deaf, we (most of us) use ASL, and we are bi (or multi)lingual (if we know more than one language)!
brian morace said,
August 20, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
Hi Dr. DonG
Deaf Channel Org and i would like to say thank you for throw some important information that would apply to my DCO research…
To my surprised about ASL Program grew at about 800% increase compare to other 20 to 25% on other language than either English and ASL.
Deaf Channel Organization would grab more TV viewers, so It would also ideal for provide “ASL Education” as TV show programming it will apply to everyone other than just deaf TV viewers.
Deaf Channel Network(future establish TV Commerical Network know as DCN) would give public better understand about deaf, culture and heritage.
Again, i want thank you for share about Modern Language Association and you!!
Brian Morace, founder of DCO
John M said,
August 20, 2008 @ 4:22 pm
Hey Don,
I glad that you have a magic wand! I understand your agrument like as a crystal picture! See Carl’s comment. Prefect example…. You already create a new flame from your heart to try to pass to someone’s heart. Keep up!!!! It is not only you. I thanked to Deaf people to create the vlog since 2007 or eariler and learned a lot from Deaf people, who had very good arugment about Deafhood or Our primary ASL. I love Deaf people, who open their feeling and give their best prescriptive, which was related ASL, Deafhood and Deaf issues… We could feel to come out from the graveyard. In result, I get a full wake from oppression from childhood.
DrDonG said,
August 20, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
Brian,
If you need those statistics formally, please be sure to click on the link I provided so you can see the full article with the exact numbers.
John M –
Thank you. Yes it is important for us all to understand about our culture, language and identity. I hope to educate more people so there is less misunderstanding about who we are and what we want.
EricJindra said,
August 20, 2008 @ 5:18 pm
Well said!
RLM said,
August 20, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
Don G,
I am kneeling on the floor to worship you Dr. Don G! Nah, I am being sassy as Paul
Lynde, most miserable gay celebrity appeared on the 1970s “Hollywood Square”.
Or I should scream in protest about your word usage of “fag” and “dyke”? Nope!
You definitely hit the nail on this topic! I think that some deaf people rather call themselves
“ASL People” as an easy way to identify themselves to the general society at large. Once they say
‘ASL People” to anyone hearing. So the hearing people would understand immediately that those
deaf people clearly use ASL, not any kind of communication technique.
That is my own assumption. Or I should say “I could not hear or speak at all” to shut up almost
every ignorant hearing people out there?
*slap on my hip* Here are my naggin hands in honor of Legendary Paul Lynde on the middle of
the “Hollywood Square”. Good ole’ night with sheeps on my eyes.
RLM
Brian Guy said,
August 20, 2008 @ 7:19 pm
Interesting topic but somewhat simplified. We have the key issues where DEAF by our own definition often does not correspond with that used by the wider society as for them their old granny is deaf (and a nuisance to boot, smile!). We are clear in our mind that we are Deaf and proud of it and a glue that knits our community together but there are deaf people out there who refuses to learn to sign and they give out the message that they can get by(!) without having to learn to sign. These two messages often conflicts and leads to misunderstanding, often with disastrous consequences such as AVT and CI their deaf babies and refusing to use ASL/BSL with them.
Now I have often equated the international Deaf community as that for the international Jewish community – they may have their own separate languages however they share a common culture that transcends national boundaries so I am pleased that you have hit on that too.
But for me I see no problems in stating that I belong to Deaf culture and also I belong to BSL culture and even the British Culture. People can be multi-cultural – what is wrong with that?
Promoting ASL as a cultural concept will add value to the Deaf culture as a tool to make us more distinct and put some distance between us and those who do not sign. It ishould not be put in the ‘embarrassed’ category or some other negative ones. It should be celebrated as an added and rich value to the Deaf culture.
Finally if you stop any hearing person in the street and ask them to expand on the word deaf – 90% would refer to it in the medical terms (loss of hearing, unable to hear etc) but if you ask them to expand on ASL (or xxx sign language) over 90% would refer to deaf people as a grouping which hits the mark closer to our hearts……
Interesting debate this – look forward to your next one!
DrDonG said,
August 20, 2008 @ 7:20 pm
RLM — I humbly accept your obeisance. You can wash my car and polish my shoes later.
Glad to know you didn’t have a problem with me using the “F” word — I was a bit concerned someone might take offense where none was intended, but had to use it to describe the situation, that’s all.
Brian G. –
The medical and cultural perspectives of Deaf do still conflict. We have to keep increasing awareness so that people start thinking of the medical perspective less and cultural perspective more.
I like that “Jewish diaspora” analogy. That is a good one to think of and use, perhaps.
There is no problem with saying that we are Deaf, we are American Deaf, we are ASL-using Deaf (or oral Deaf, for those of that persuasion). But calling ourselves “ASL people” or “Signing people” is ludicrous, and I think, somewhat divisive in itself and possibly leading down a slippery slope in terms of where the culture could go. I’d rather focus on what is our true commonality: we are all DEAF. That is our characteristic.
DT said,
August 20, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
From the perspective you present this, Don, I liked what I see. However, I have a problem on another front regarding this: For the sake of respecting diversity, we aren’t ASL people, literally, because not all of us utilize ASL; in fact, I know lots of folks who say they are ASLers when, in fact, they are not. Then there are al;l those other deaf folks who don’t use ASL because it just happens to not be a choice for them or they are products of their environment.
Brian Riley said,
August 20, 2008 @ 8:57 pm
Most hearing people automatically assume that all deaf people use sign language. If we focus on ASL, then that might have the effect of reversing this trend, then most hearing people will NOT automatically assume that all deaf people use sign language.
In print it’s easy to use upper-case D in Deaf as a proper noun. Hearing people will see that upper-case D and know that it is special and will wonder about it. That could be used as a tool to pique their curiosity, so that they will do a little more research and figure out what it’s all about. They will learn that “Deaf” is a name, not a medical condition, and that it refers to a cultural group of people who view the Deaf experience in a positive way.
observer said,
August 20, 2008 @ 10:21 pm
Don,
I can’t watch your vlog (technical issues on my part), but I wanted to comment on why I think reducing ourselves to ASL people is absurd.
If we go by that premise, there is absolutely no difference between us, interpreters, and children born to us who “passed the hearing test,” for example. Using that logic, we’re all the same. Nothing separates us from the people who sit in Sorenson cubicles interpreting our calls, right?
O-kay… then why don’t we become interpreters? Why do we use interpreters at all? We’re just like them, right? ASL users? No difference, right?
To just say “ASL community” completely ignores, diminishes, belittles what makes us unique, what we have to give the world, and the fact that WE created natural signed languages worldwide.
It’s an argument that’s beyond stupid. I usually try to be more diplomatic, but this argument is such an absurd fallacy that I can’t stand it.
Let’s TAKE BACK Deaf. Ok, it has a stigma. So what? So does the word queer. The gay community has taken it back, reclaimed it, and uses the word with pride, from what I understand.
ASL community? ASL people? Puh-lease.
Jean Boutcher said,
August 20, 2008 @ 10:34 pm
Besides an international foreign language translator, Daddy described himself as a French-speakling person who equally felt comfortable with English-speaking people. Why is it that you cannot use it for deaf
people who are ASL-signing people?
Jean Boutcher
DrDonG said,
August 21, 2008 @ 12:22 am
DT —
You’re right. Not all of us use ASL (or any other sign language), for reasons of choice or environment. That is why I’d rather not use this terminology to define us. Our common characteristic is that we are all DEAF. We all have similar interests and needs, regardless of communication “options”. Reducing us to “signing people” leaves out the non-signers, and thus, once again, we are divided further. Let’s not go there!
DrDonG said,
August 21, 2008 @ 12:26 am
I like your points, Brian R.
Observer — I hope you resolve your technical issues. I think I hit your points in the vlog.
Jean —
Nothing wrong with saying that we are ASL-using DEAF. Or Oral DEAF. Or CI DEAF. Our common characteristic is Deaf.
One difference I do see is that French is both a language and an identity. ASL is a language, but it is not an identity. I think you made the distinction yourself, when you said “ASL-signing people”. Thus it becomes descriptive of behavior, not as an identity — see what I mean?
Elena said,
August 21, 2008 @ 12:43 am
One friendly interjection/correction– the Basque people speak the Basque language, or Euskara, as it is known in the language. Interestingly, a Basque person identifies her-/himself as an euskaldun, or “Basque speaker” and the name for the actual Basque region itself is Euskal Herria, which means “Country of the Basque language.” So that’s definitely an example of a cultural/ethnic group basing its identity and rubric of belonging on the language spoken in the group!
DrDonG said,
August 21, 2008 @ 12:56 am
Sorry about the mistake, Elena, but you still supported my point — the Basques don’t speak “Basque”, they speak “Euskara” (although they call themselves Euskalduns, so I guess we both win there….)
Hmmm… seems like Basques are always a group that proves themselves exceptions to the rules…. I guess now I know where you get your contrarian tendencies from…
MM said,
August 21, 2008 @ 9:06 am
Why are they saying deaf TV or deaf channel, when it is signing deaf TV, and not about every deaf person ? Any deaf person that so chooses to a vblog should have the same right of access as an ASL/BSL using person, it is the only way you will break down barriers. It is whether you agree there is a justification for the ‘Deaf’ space, personally I don’t think there is. It allows in part, Hard-line ASL using deaf to have a go at other deaf happy in the knowledge they can’t respond or may not be able to follow them.
I’ve tried signing vblogs in the past, and they just moan about it isn’t perfect…. or if it is OK, they say you aren’t deaf, there seems no way you can win, so I am against in principle dedicated ASL or BSL sites….. either we are all deaf or we aren’t, and access starts here or it simply doesn’t…
MM said,
August 21, 2008 @ 9:14 am
I forgot to add (Sorry !), that the first signed vblog I put up on deaf.read, they transferred to the ‘BSL’ signed vblog section. BSL people complained it wasn’t ‘true’ BSL, well it wasn’t I agree, I signed as I only knew how, but I did add titles, in the end I had to ask deaf.read to withdraw the signed vblog, because BSL in the UK bloggers said it wasn’t, so they had to create a vblog category for non-ASL or Non-BSL signed bloggers or I scrap the vblog, guess… I thought sign was about communication, BSL users said it wasn’t, it was about language, so explain ….
DrDonG said,
August 21, 2008 @ 9:55 am
MM –
I agree (gasp!) with you that saying “ASL (or “signing”) People” does exclude those of you who don’t sign, or don’t sign A/B/CSL. That’s why I’ve been saying we are all Deaf together! No distinctions, no value judgements.
David Ennis said,
August 21, 2008 @ 11:56 am
Niger is French-speaking nation. Nigeria is English-speaking nation.
Deaf USA is ASL-signing nation. LOL
I prefer to be American Deaf instead of Deaf American as well as some
African-American prefer American Black over Black American.
The noun of Deaf refers to human being as opposed to the adjective
word of Deaf which refers to focus on “THE BROKEN EAR’.
The term of American Black refers to human being who born in USA, not
focusing on race or color.
Few years ago, I read an old article that was written in around 1910′s
I was surprised when I found a real strange term of “woman American”.
I wonder if the aeticle was not edited properly until I realized that there
is a possibility for our 1910′s society that did not recognize the equal status
of woman to man. For example, the woman’s voting right was not recognized
until 1920.
RLM said,
August 21, 2008 @ 11:57 am
Don G,
First of all, someone sent me an email message which considered real degrading of you tell me to wash your car and polish your shoes. I didn’t see anything offensive or degrading. You just being playful with the obedience stuff. No big deal for me anyway!
I usually embrace politically incorrect stuff on daily basis and let people say anything to me. I once called “fag” in hurtful manner by one of my schoolmate at WVSD, but dismissed that slur. That male schoolmate/roomate was simply jealous of me having chest hair. He doesn’t! Very same person felt real threatened by me just having chest hair with the shirt open. I never really intended to do it. The shirt just happened to loosen itself in accidential way.
I will be not likely to be submissive kind anyway. I hardly please anyone so far.
Yes, Brian Riley made a good point about simplying our own identity.
I guess that many deaf people rather say “ME ASL” than spending considerable time to explain hirself – “I am deaf. I could not hear or understand what you said to me. Please write down what you say”.
“ME ASL” is kinda an quick way to tell people that I am culturally deaf and communicate in American Sign Language. That is my own assumption.
If someone slur against me like “CO*KSUC*ER. I would simply answer – ‘Do you want this one or what?” That should shut up someone. I would not kneel to any guys anyway. I am the fincky type.
Gotta go now.
RLM
DrDonG said,
August 21, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
David –
Yes I prefer American Deaf, British Deaf, etc. We are bilingual, we are members of our national societies. We are not a separate nation of Deaf.
RLM –
Yes, I was just joking. I knew u would understand that because you made a joke to me.
Nothing wrong with saying “I sign” or “I speak ASL”. It lets people understand that ASL is your language quickly, yes. It is like saying “No comprendo. Halblo Espanol”. But calling ourselves “ASL People” just doesn’t fit.
RLM said,
August 21, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
Dr. Don G.,
Your point is well-taken about describing ourselves “ASL People” The end of discussion! =)
RLM
Jean Boutcher said,
August 21, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
Brian Riley said,
August 20, 2008 @ 8:57 pm
Au contraïre, most hearing people would assume that deaf people have lipreading skills. With the eyes opening as widely as those of a frog, they would mouth with exaggeration and make a gesture to a deaf person (viid. infra):
“Can you LIPREAD?”
Brian, please do not put your words into the mouths of non-oral deaf people or make any assumptions about, of, and for non-oral deaf people BECAUSE you have never been deaf.
DrDonG said,
August 21, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
Jean,
Actually, both Brian and you are right. Some Hearing do think that Deaf people only sign, but many more seem to think that we can all lipread because of the media (all the “perfect lipreaders” in movies and on TV).
Brian Riley said,
August 22, 2008 @ 5:49 am
I didn’t say “only sign”. I said “use sign.”
Starbeam227 said,
August 22, 2008 @ 7:20 pm
Hi Don,
I always enjoy watching your vlogs – this one was good and captured a sentiment that many of us feel. I don’t need to reiterate all of the unabashed adulation of comments above (*winks*) but do know your vlogs are appreciated.
I was just thinking about what might happen if a Deaf person went up to a hearing person and said to him/her “I’m an ASL person”. While ASL as a foreign language is growing in rapidly popularity, I can’t help but wonder if most hearing people would look at them funny and reply “Age, Sex, Location???”
Above and beyond any of the arguments presented, “ASL person” just *doesn’t* make sense!
Meanwhile, eeevvveeerrryyyooonnneee knows what “DEAF” means. And that’s still cool!
Thanks!
Star
Sue said,
September 13, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
Our daughter worked in an orphanage for deaf children in India this summer. These children suffer inconceivable neglect. They are not taught to sign and are denied human warmth. Is there a way that you could suggest to me some kind of organization that could help me to send teachers of sign language there? I would be happy to write for a grant for it. Is there any way that I could help these children?
DrDonG said,
October 17, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
Sue:
One organization I know of is Signs of Hope International http://www.signsofhopeinternational.org/. I don’t know a lot about them, but they seem to be a non-religious organization that is trying to educate Deaf children in Africa and other countries. I hope this helps you, and I would encourage anyone who is interested to volunteer or donate to this organization.