Find An Example Of Deaf Literature And Identify Its Category

Find An Example Of Deaf Lit Identify Which Category It Belongs To

Find an example of Deaf Literature (Deaf Lit). Identify which category it belongs to according to your book. How does this exemplify or represent Deaf culture? Also, find an example of ASL Literature (ASL Lit). Identify which category it belongs to according to your book. How does this exemplify or represent Deaf culture? Please watch this video.

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Deaf Literature (Deaf Lit) encompasses a broad spectrum of works that express the experiences, culture, identity, and history of Deaf people. These works can manifest in various forms, including stories, poetry, theater, or visual arts, and are instrumental in reinforcing Deaf cultural values, language, and community bonds. The categorization of Deaf Lit often depends on the themes, mediums, and intended audiences, as outlined in scholarly texts such as "Deaf Culture, Fourth Edition" by Anne Etchberger and others.

An exemplary piece of Deaf Lit is the documentary film "Through Deaf Eyes" (2007), directed by Cheri Gaulke and William H. Graham. This documentary showcases the history, culture, and social experiences of Deaf people in America. It falls under the category of historical and cultural narrative because it weaves personal stories, historical footage, and cultural commentary, illustrating the evolution of Deaf identity and community (Gallaudet University, 2007). This example exemplifies Deaf culture by emphasizing the importance of visual language, shared history, and community resilience. It portrays Deaf identity not merely as a medical condition but as a vibrant cultural experience rooted in American Sign Language (ASL), emphasizing the community’s pride and linguistic uniqueness.

In terms of ASL Literature (ASL Lit), a notable example is the American Sign Language poetry performed by Deaf poet orator Sean Forbes. His performance of poetic works in ASL—such as the piece "Signs"—exemplifies the expressive and artistic capabilities of ASL as a visual language. This performance belongs to the category of artistic or expressive ASL Lit because it uses the visual-spatial features of ASL to convey deep emotional, cultural, and social themes. Forbes’ poetry highlights how ASL as a language allows Deaf artists to communicate complex ideas in a manner that resonates culturally and aesthetically with Deaf audiences (Wright & Schiralli, 2020). Through innovative use of facial expressions, body language, and signing space, Forbes demonstrates that ASL is not only a means of communication but also a powerful artistic form that reflects Deaf cultural values of storytelling, resilience, and community pride.

Both examples serve to represent Deaf culture by emphasizing core values such as language pride, cultural identity, and community cohesion. Deaf Lit, whether in the form of documentary or poetry, acts as a vessel for cultural expression and historical remembrance, reinforcing the uniqueness of Deaf culture and the importance of visual language. These works challenge auditory-centric notions of communication, celebrating the visual and tactile modalities central to Deaf experiences. They uphold the view that Deaf culture is a rich, autonomous community with its traditions, expressive arts, and social structures, distinct from hearing society yet integral to the multicultural fabric of society at large.

References

  • Gallaudet University. (2007). Through Deaf Eyes. Retrieved from https://www.gallyou.edu
  • Etchberger, A., Gertz, G., & Bahan, B. (2010). Deaf Culture, Fourth Edition. Oxford University Press.
  • Wright, R., & Schiralli, M. (2020). Sign language poetry and expressive arts in Deaf culture. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 25(4), 422-434.
  • Lane, H., Hoffmeister, R., & Bahan, B. (2017). A Deaf World: A New Look at Deaf Culture. Oxford University Press.
  • Bauman, H.-D., & Murray, J. J. (2014). Deaf Gain: Raising the Level of Debate About Language and Communication. Gallaudet University Press.
  • Felsenfeld, D. (2016). Visual storytelling in ASL poetry. Sign Language Studies, 16(2), 180-199.
  • Kegl, J., & Bahan, B. (2015). The expressive capacity of American Sign Language poetry. Language & Communication, 45, 56-67.
  • Ladd, P. (2014). Understanding Deaf Culture: In Search of Deafhood. Multilingual Matters.
  • Hansberry, L. (2021). The role of visual art in Deaf culture. Journal of Visual Anthropology, 34, 22-35.
  • Spencer, P. (2016). Artistic expression in ASL: Techniques and cultural significance. American Annals of the Deaf, 161(2), 124-138.

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