The "I Deaf" Question.

Here's a 1998 RIT/NTID Master of Science thesis work titled "Profiles of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals Who Pursue English as a Career." This thesis contains some rather potent and salient remarks about the attitudes from many deaf and hard of hearing individuals. It's has been nearly ten years since the thesis was published, how many of the remarks made in the thesis still stand true today?

Some remarks from the author and other contributors as seen in the thesis:

Mark (born deaf): "Despite having several Deaf and hard of hearing friends who struggled with English, I have always been astonished by their attitudes towards all aspects of English, including reading and writing. At times, I felt they were offensive towards me as they mocked the English language. I somehow never felt approval from my Deaf and hard of hearing friends for wanting to run to a corner to read my favorite book. Likewise, I could not help feeling the sadness, knowing they were missing out on such tremendous joy through the English language."

- There was also a 'specialness' associated with being a Deaf English major and/or teacher.

- Positive attitudes towards English do not appear to exists among Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, or at least they are not the norm.

- Deaf and hard of hearing individuals may not choose other majors or careers due to difficulties with English. for instance, Lang found that English scores were the best predictor determining whether Deaf and hard of hearing individuals choose to enter the science fields.
- English is a language which Deaf and hard of hearing individuals need to master in order to receive appropriate educations and achieve their potentials in the work force and intellectual life of society.

- "The superintendent, actually a pleasant person and a CODA, had nothing against me, but he absolutely did not want any deaf teacher on his staff, " explained one participant. Another stated, "The only problem I ever had was that one person who interviewed me from the English Department gave me a 'grammar test.' During our one-on-one interview. This was incredibly inappropriate and I doubt the person would have done it with a hearing candidate (he was hearing)."
- When asked how people responded to their wanting to major in English, family and friends were rather comfortable. However, they received negative feedback from others. "They always give me that look." "I'd be treated differently from the way they'd treat others." One participant described the"win-lose" situation with her Deaf friends. They applauded her for wanting to improve the Deaf and hard of hearing students' English but at the same time saw her as an "oppressor who does not recognize ASL as a legitimate language."

- The belief that Deaf and hard of hearing individuals who pursue English as a career are more intelligent is somewhat prevalent today. Teachers and other professionals for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals need to encourage the mentality that Deaf and hard of hearing students are intelligent regardless of their skills in English. Yet, they also need to encourage the philosophy that Deaf and hard of hearing individuals can master English and be "loyal" to the cultural values of the Deaf community.