Logopedics, Vol. 6 No. 1, 2016.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31299/log.6.1.4
Properties of the cultural identity of deaf and hard-of-hearing people
Sandra Bradarić Jončić
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Hearing Impairments
Renata Mohr Nemčić
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Hearing Impairments
Abstract
Using the Deaf Acculturation Scale - DAS (Maxwell-McCow i Zea, 2011), this study aimed to explore deaf and hard-of-hearing people’s sense of belonging in Deaf and hearing communities in more detail. In addition, it examined the cultural preferences of deaf and hard-of-hearing people and their participation in the activities of both cultures, their cultural knowledge regarding the two cultures, and their perceived competence in sign- and majority languages, with particular regard to their hearing status. The research sample consisted of 443 deaf and hard-of-hearing persons (31 mildly and 57 moderately hearing impaired persons, 69 severely deaf persons, 256 profoundly deaf persons and 30 persons with cochlear implants) from 17 Croatian cities. The results demonstrate that deaf and hard-of-hearing persons (except those who are mildly hearing impaired) tend to identify with Deaf culture to a greater extent than hearing culture. Both deaf and hard-of-hearing persons (except those with CI) participate in the activities of Deaf culture to a much greater extent than those of hearing culture. However, only deaf persons expressed a significantly higher level of preference for Deaf culture in comparison to hearing culture. All participants exhibited a higher level of cultural knowledge of hearing rather than Deaf culture, but the difference was statistically significant only for mildly and moderately hearing impaired persons. In deaf participants, the perceived language competence was significantly higher for sign language rather than for the majority language. All other participant groups assessed their competence in both languages to be equal. The results of this research imply that the majority of deaf and hard-of-hearing people identify strongly with Deaf culture and participate in it regularly. At the same time, it is evident that hard-of-hearing persons and CI users have a higher level of bi-cultural and hearing acculturation. The practical implications of the results obtained, as well as the current status of Deaf culture in Croatia, are elaborated in this paper.
Keywords
deaf; hard-of-hearing; cultural identity; Deaf culture
Hrčak ID:
161792
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2016.
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