Deafhood theory suggests that whatever answers Deaf people offer up when they ask themselves the question - ‘What is “Deaf” ?’ represents their own idea of Deafhood. These answers vary widely. In the USA for example, Deafhood is asserted by sign language skills - Deaf leaders are often those whose ASL rhetorical styles are aesthetically powerful. Storytelling, jokes, puns, language creativity are all positively valorised, and those who sign poorly in conversation are left in no doubt about any failure to achieve the expected standards. By contrast, political action, and support for all members of the community are much further down on their Deafhood self-definitions.”(Ladd, 2003)Ok, how about this? A little twist in the thinking here. “Deafhood” can also be asserted by a deaf or hard of hearing person with such skills on the ability to crack jokes, use idioms, storytelling, jokes, puns, language creativity and such all using his/her own voice?
No?
Perhaps Kathy Buckley, a well known female comedian with a hearing loss, has already found her "deafhood" then?
"I have no patience for stupidity or labeling. I believe if you need to put someone down, you have an insecurity," she says
Indeed.
Go to her own personal website and see what's she's all about.
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