Expanding the lens: Language, identity, and access in deaf education
Temas
Detalles
Language and identity are sociolinguistic concepts that anchor an individual's sense of self and belonging. Together they are the gateway to accessing educational, cultural and social opportunities that sustain and enrich their lives.
For deaf and hard of hearing children, the development of a strong identity is closely tied to access to a shared language from a very early age. However, many young deaf children are denied this access due to communication barriers with their hearing families and wider communities. Without access to language, their ability to develop a strong and healthy identity is severely compromised and may lead to significant mental health issues later in life.
Much of the literature on the development of identity for deaf children focuses on the need for sign language to be recognised as the primary language for developing linguistic and cultural identity. However, we also know that Deaf cultural identity is not merely a function of hearing status or language modality alone but also includes how an individual understands and experiences their own deafness, and the choices they make about language, communication, and connecting with Deaf culture. Affiliation with the Deaf community is influenced by a wide range of factors that shape the values and beliefs of deaf people seeking to belong to a culture that will foster and nurture them through language, culture and shared experiences.