ASL = English: ASC is pleased to see the trend of more Deaf professionals taking advantage of the internet and technology to formally present their ideas and research in ASL. Traditionally, even in environments proclaiming bilingualism, there has been a longstanding, often unspoken, message that English still reigns superior to ASL. Compare how readily academic articles published in English receive credibility and status, while lectures and videos delivered in ASL are frequently viewed as less serious or scholarly. Bilingualism may refer to two languages, but in many so-called bilingual Deaf educational institutions it has not always been the case that both are accorded equal respect.

Double Standard: What is one to make of the fact that at Gallaudet University last Friday, a hearing doctoral candidate presented a dissertation defense in spoken English rather than ASL? The student spoke to an audience that included Deaf students and professors, as well as hearing students who are planning on careers working with Deaf people. This reflects a lack of an institutional commitment to honoring ASL, something that should be a minimal expectation at the premier higher education institution for Deaf people. This concession to a hearing, English-speaking graduate student, whose choice to forgo presenting in ASL did little to convey a sense of respect and courtesy, is a sad commentary on the university’s double standard. What such concessions are ever made to Deaf students, who have no choice but to write their dissertations in English, a second language for many? Imagine the reaction if a Deaf student made a request to do a dissertation entirely in ASL! Hearing students can cite insufficient fluency or discomfort in using their second-language ASL in front of an audience, but Deaf students can never opt out of having to use their second-language English to meet their program requirements.

Academic ASL: Without a doubt, Deaf people have been proving that academic ideas, once erroneously believed to be “too complicated” or “too abstract” to be explained in ASL, can be presented perfectly well in ASL. Check out the late and widely-respected Dr. Larry Fleischer’s elegant ASL lecture for a shining example of one of the earliest academic ASL presentations. Take a look at the promising new online Deaf Studies Digital Journal for another example of ASL in academia. There are many more examples online. Please feel free to share your favorites here.

ASC would like to thank Raychelle Harris, who was one of the first people to reference and cite an ASC vlog in a published paper. We also appreciate the many people who have requested permission to show our vlogs for different workshops, classes, and conferences. This is the type of respect and acknowledgement that all ASL vlogs and videos deserve.

To cite: Duchesneau, S. (2009). ASL in Academia? ASC on the Couch. Retrieved (date retrieved), from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=498.

Vlog Summary: The holidays often mean families, and the words we use to describe our family relationships say a lot. Some families make a point of distinguishing between their biological children and their adopted children or their foster children. Even sisters and brothers may emphasize that so-and-so is a full sibling, while another family member is a half sibling. Sharon Duchesneau considers the impact of making such distinctions and the potential for creating feelings of not belonging or being second-class. Constantly identifying members of the Deaf community as Deaf-of-Deaf (DOD) or Deaf-of-Hearing (DOH), for example, does little to contribute to the feeling of family within the community, particularly when there is no real reason to make the distinction (i.e., no research-based need). Likewise, in families, simply identifying one’s children as children and siblings as siblings can go a long way in fostering feelings of acceptance and belonging.

To cite: Duchesneau, S. (2007, December 22). In with Family, Out with Steps, Halves, & Adoptees. ASC on the Couch. Retrieved (date retrieved), from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=332

Vlog Summary: The past week has seen a heated debate over the issue of
deficit thinking, with many vlogs and blogs contributing to a healthy and
thought-provoking discussion. A small, but intriguing, aspect of the
discussion raises the question of what the difference is between “deficit
thinker” and “deficit thinking”? As Candace A. McCullough explains,
“deficit thinker” labels the whole person, while “deficit thinking”
describes the behavior. From a counseling perspective, using the term
“deficit thinking” is more accurate and less condemning of the whole person,
than is the term “deficit thinker”.

To cite:

McCullough, C. (2007, December 18). Deficit Thinker vs. Deficit Thinking. ASC on the Couch. Retrieved (date retrieved), from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=331

Vlog Summary: Struck by a Norwegian professional’s use of the description “bordering on child abuse” to describe denying children access to electronic media, Sharon Duchesneau asks why the term “child abuse” is not widely used when referring to communication injustices that many Deaf children face. Something is wrong with the picture when the seriousness of these situations is downplayed.

Here is the link to the article mentioned in the vlog.

To cite:

Duchesneau, S. (2007, August 31). Communication Abuse and Deaf People. ASC on the Couch. Retrieved August 31, 2007, from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=318

Vlog Summary: Candace A. McCullough shares her perspective
on the debate over which ASL sign to use for the word “victim”. A close
look at the meaning of the English word “victim” reveals that it is already
a word loaded with negative implications. The word is viewed as problematic
by many professionals in the helping field. If we look to ASL and how our
language describes people who have experienced traumatic events, we can see that Deaf people have done just fine expressing ourselves, without needing to incorporate the English word “victim” into ASL.

To cite:

McCullough, C. (2007, June 13). Victim No More. ASC on the Couch. Retrieved June 13, 2007, from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=316