Deaf culture. This paper contains answers for three questions about Deaf Again Book - Assignment Example

Hadeel Alawad 2/15 “Deaf Again” Chapters 7-8 Reading Assignment How was Mark’s experience with his deaf grandparents different from his experience with his hearing grandparents? Describe three differences between these two experiences. What did his experience with his deaf grandparents make him feel? There are several differences regarding Mark’s experience with his Deaf grandparents and those with his hearing grandparents, in consideration to several aspects. The first difference between the two was in the method of communication.

Mark is more relaxed when communicating with his Deaf grandparents because he does not have to read their lips or act as a hearing person. Moreover, he does not need to speak openly or wear a hearing aid because they could easily communicate, because they were also Deaf. They understand that sign language is an optimum way to communicate with him; therefore, he does not struggle when he communicates with them. As for his hearing grandparents, the experience is opposite as he has to read their lips, speak plainly, wear a hearing aid, and act as a hearing individual; a process that is quite challenging for him.

The second difference was their perspective toward deafness. His Deaf grandparents view deafness as a cultural difference between them and hearing individuals. They were very proud of being Deaf. They do not consider themselves as a disabled or consider deafness as something that needs fixing. On the other hand, his hearing grandparents were viewing deafness as a disability and something that needs to be fixed. Therefore, they reject the use of sign language and encourage him to use speech in his communication.

In addition, they often felt sorry for him; as they try to improve his speaking skills. The last difference was the Dinner Table Syndrome. Anytime her visits his Deaf grandparents, he does not feel the isolated and enjoys sharing stories, joking, and all kinds of conversation with them via sign language. In contrast, when he visits his hearing grandparents, he feels left out at the dinner table, because he cannot participate freely as the talk, share their stories, and joke through spoken language.

2-What did you learn about the critical age for a deaf child’s language development? Why did Mark support ASL to deaf children?  The author indicates that there is a critical period for language acquisition for Deaf children; which is usually during the first five years of age. He pointed out that the Deaf parents must focus on sign language accessibility during this period of the Deaf child’s life by allowing their child to interact with his/her Deaf peers and involve in Deaf community activities.

He explained that early exposure to sign language during the first five years of the Deaf child’s life has a positive effect on the second language development (spoken language) as well as the English literacy development for the deaf children.3-Despite Mark’s initial reaction towards cochlear implants, what did he have to say about this issue? What kind of message he advised us as the readers about cochlear implants? Mark was more concerned about sign language acquisition than the cochlear implant issue.

From his point of view, he believes that all Deaf children must be exposed to sign language at birth or during the five years of age whether they are implanted or not. As he was working at the Deaf school, he noticed that there were many deaf students with a cochlear implant, and they still attended Deaf school. On the other hand, some doctors believe that the best time to perform a cochlear implant is before the age of five. However, the author argues that when the parents agree to have a cochlear implant carried out on their Deaf child, they deprive the child of the right to the freedom of choice.

Moreover, he perceives deafness as a blessing and something to be proud of not something to be ashamed of in the society. Therefore, he believes there is no need in trying to correct it through procedures such as a cochlear implant. In addition, the author indicates many Deaf adults have implants, and they join and play an important role in the Deaf community.