Concept of DEAF COMMUNITY AND CULTURE

Deaf people, as a community or culture, can be considered a linguistic minority, and as a result, some members of this community may feel misunderstood by those who do not understand sign language.

Deaf culture

It is the set of social beliefs, behaviours, literary traditions, history, values, and shared beliefs among institutions of communities influenced by deafness and using sign languages as the primary means of communication.

Deaf Culture supporters say that recognising Deaf-mute people as a minority culture with their own language and social norms promotes Deaf people’s right to collective space within society to pass on their language and culture to future generations.

Participating in the Deaf community and culturally identifying as Deaf has been shown to significantly increase positive self-esteem in Deaf-mute people. Hearing family members of deaf people and sign-language interpreters who identify with Deaf culture may be part of the community.