Deaf culture. What is it? First, we have to look at the definition of culture in general: patterns, traits, products, attitudes, and intellectual/artistic activity associated with a population.
Based on this definition, the deaf community can be said to have its own unique culture. Deaf and hard of hearing people produce plays, books, artwork, magazines, and movies targeted at deaf and hard of hearing audiences. In addition, the deaf community engages in social and political activities exclusive to the deaf community. American deaf culture is a living, growing, changing thing as new activities are developed and the output of intellectual works increases.
Deaf Artwork
I could easily decorate my home with deaf-themed artwork. Art with sign language and deafness themes is readily available through vendors of deaf/hoh products, and some deaf painters have websites. Some artwork can be seen on display at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf's Dyer arts center in Rochester, New York.
Deaf Cinema
Deaf people have produced their own movies and hold their own film festivals. I was fortunate enough to be able to watch a short comedy at the Deaf Way II.
Sign Language
Sign language is the aspect of deaf culture most closely identified with deafness. Deaf and hearing people who are native signers - that is, they grew up with sign language - tend to have the most fluent signing skills. Each country has its own sign language, and even within countries, there will be sign language dialects similar to what is called a "New York accent." In addition, there is a specialized form of storytelling using the sign language alphabet, called ABC Stories.
Deaf Creative Writing
Some deaf and hard of hearing people have written and published books with themes on sign language and deafness. Several of these books have become required reading in deaf studies classes.
Poems are another popular vehicle for deaf culture, and deaf people use them to express their feelings about having a hearing loss or to describe their experiences. Some poems are online and others have been collected in books. There is also a special form of poetry using sign language, ASL Poetry.
About Deafness/HOH has a literary corner for publishing original story and poem submissions from About Deafness visitors.
Deaf Social Life
Socialization in the deaf community takes many forms. A particularly popular means of socialization is the meeting at a restaurant. These meetings have come to be known by the various names ASL dinner, Signing Supper, or Silent Supper. Another popular social vehicle is the Deaf Coffee, a meeting at a Starbucks or similar place to chat.
The deaf community also has its own online dating sites, as described in Signs of Love.
Deaf Theatre
For years, deaf theatre groups have developed and produced plays with deafness and sign language on the stage. There are professional deaf theater companies that entertain deaf and hearing audiences alike. One deaf theater company, Deaf West, was so successful that its production, "Big River," that mixes deaf and hearing actors, made it onto Broadway.
