Abstract
Dismantling the idea that a Deaf person is somehow an unfinished, inferior and incapable individual (due to hearing loss) allows us to present the hearing public with a totally different view, one that is rich and surprising. Hence comes to light the construction of the Deaf person with a capital “D”, someone who proudly belongs to a minority community, who speaks a language that shapes ideas, opinions and feelings on the world in a set of complex movements throughout space. And all this we perceive through sight. After all, the spaces where these individuals live embrace their own values and behavioural patterns – Deaf Culture, a flag that the Deaf Community keeps on showing while fighting for equal rights. We present the results of a qualitative study, where we analyse the role of Portuguese Sign Language (LGP) and Deaf culture in the way love relationships set off. Love is a fertile field of study concerning linguistic and cultural manifestations. We inquired 10 Deaf youngsters on how they perspectivize friendship and romantic love and the data collected revealed fascinating positions as to how to choose friends or romantic partners. The crucial for these choices requisite is an open attitude towards diversity, showing respect for Deaf culture, its values and its language.
| Translated title of the contribution | Deaf culture: the flag of a people living amidst another |
|---|---|
| Original language | Portuguese |
| Pages (from-to) | 65-70 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Cadernos de Saúde |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2011 |
Keywords
- Deafness
- Deaf-Mutism
- Marital relationships
- Friends
- Love
- Culture
- Minority groups