2.3. Deaf culture

On February 6, 2024, the Council of Ministers approved the declaration of cultural expressions linked to deaf culture and Spanish Sign Language (LSE) as a representative manifestation of intangible cultural heritage. This initiative recognises deaf culture, which encompasses the values, knowledge, traditions, and forms of socialization shared by the deaf community. It also acknowledges the cultural expressions emerging from LSE, artistic expressions in Visual Vernacular, and highlights the fundamental role of deaf associations as key spaces for safeguarding and disseminating deaf culture (Royal Decree 155/2024, Resolution of May 11, 2023).

Sign language stands as the primary hallmark of deaf culture. Over time, the deaf community has developed distinctive cultural elements, including social practices, forms of collective socialisation, values, knowledge, customs, traditions, associative structures, and history (Ladd, 2011; Lane, 2007; Pérez de la Fuente, 2014; Pino, 2007).

Deaf culture manifests in unique ways: the communicative use of eye contact, spatial positioning, light signals for attention, turn-taking in conversations, greeting customs, respectful conversation interruption methods, and attention-getting strategies. A particularly significant element is the personal sign—a marker of identity and community belonging that is granted through community protocol. This personal sign, usually based on a distinctive physical characteristic, serves as a form of introduction and stays with the person throughout their life.

The collective knowledge of cultural expressions in LSE encompasses a rich variety: legends, narratives, monologues, sign games, humor, storytelling, riddles, songs, and signed poetry (with notable studies by Ángel Herrero (2015) and Miguel Ángel Sampedro). Beyond this signed literary tradition and deaf folklore (deaflore), LSE manifests in valuable theatrical performances. Visual Vernacular represents another unique artistic form, blending sign language, mime, poetry, and cinematic techniques. In this art form, signers embody different characters and setting elements, fluidly shifting between subject and object perspectives.

Spain hosts over a hundred deaf associations, organised under regional federations and the Spanish Confederation of Deaf People (CNSE). These associations have historically served as community centres for developing and preserving sign language. The associative movement champions deaf rights and cultural heritage, fostering a strong sense of identity, freedom, belonging, and internal solidarity.

The community engages in various social activities: informal gatherings, anniversary celebrations (including brotherhood meals, gift exchanges, and ceremonial presentations), inter-association meetings, sports events, deaf-directed theatrical productions, and educational talks about sign language and community life.

Key cultural celebrations include the National Day of Spanish Sign Languages (June 14), International Day of Sign Languages (September 23), and International Week of Deaf People in the last week of September. The week concludes with the International Day of Deaf People, traditionally held on the last Sunday of September (occasionally moved to Saturday). This celebration, established in 1958 by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), commemorates their first World Congress of September 1951.

References

Herrero Blanco, Á. (2015). Ver la poesía. Aguaclara.

Ladd, P. (2011). Comprendiendo la cultura sorda: en busca de la Sordedad. Consejo Nacional de la Cultura y las Artes.

Lane, H. (2007). Los orígenes del mundo sordo estadounidense. In CNSE (Ed.), Libro de ponencias y comunicaciones del XV Congreso Mundial de la Federación Mundial de Personas Sordas (pp. 18-22). CNSE & WFD.

Pérez de la Fuente, Ó. (2014). Las personas sordas como minoría lingüística y cultural. Dilemata, 15, 267-287.

Pino López, F. (2007). La cultura de las personas sordas. Lecture given at the Observatori d'Ètica Aplicada a la Intervenció Social, within the framework of the Seminar Els Atres Prenen la Paralula, on November 15, 2007.

Real Decreto 155/2024, de 6 de febrero, por el que se declaran las expresiones culturales vinculadas a la cultura sorda y la lengua de signos española como Manifestación Representativa del Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial. (Royal Decree 155/2024, of February 6, declaring cultural expressions linked to deaf culture and Spanish Sign Language as a Representative Manifestation of Intangible Cultural Heritage).

Resolución de 11 de mayo de 2023, de la Dirección General de Patrimonio Cultural y Bellas Artes, por la que se incoa expediente de declaración de «Las expresiones culturales vinculadas a la cultura sorda y la lengua de signos española» como manifestación representativa del patrimonio cultural inmaterial. (Resolution of May 11, 2023, from the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Fine Arts, initiating proceedings to declare "Cultural expressions linked to deaf culture and Spanish Sign Language" as a representative manifestation of intangible cultural heritage).

Useful information

Faro del silencio. La revista de todas las personas sordas: https://www.cnse.es/index.php/nuestro-trabajo/publicaciones-y-recursos/faro-de-silencio 

More information about deaf culture and cultural expressions of LSE as a representative manifestation of intangible cultural heritage: https://cnlse.es/es/recursos/biblioteca/lse-pci 

Art and culture resources: https://cnlse.es/es/recursos/otros/arte-y-cultura

Esteban Saiz, M. L. (2025). Socio-historical background: Sign language community: Deaf culture. In S. Villameriel García (Ed.), Gramática de la Lengua de Signos Española (GramLSE) / Grammar of Spanish Sign Language (GramLSE). Real Patronato sobre Discapacidad-Centro de Normalización Lingüística de la Lengua de Signos Española. Retrieved Month DD, YYYY, from https://cnlse.es/es/recursos/gramlse/ingles/index/socio-historical-background/sign-language-community/2-3-deaf-culture