Interview Summary

Maxine Lynch
Note: (Translated) refers to quotations which have been translated from ASL to
English.
I interviewed Paul, a Deaf person who I met through a mutual friend. Our
interview started out with some basic questions about Pauls past- his education,
family and his life. Then I wanted to explore some of the topics and issues that we
have looked at in our course. Paul was candid, and we discussed several topics: the
current state of Deaf Culture; Oral vs ASL education systems; Deaf Associations;
and he also spoke on the topic of communication. Paul was open and uninhibited
during the interview, and he made many insights that were thought provoking for
me. This summary will be broken into the different topics that we discussed during
the interview.
Pauls Background
Paul was diagnosed with a profound hearing loss as an infant. He described
the underlying biological cause of his deafness My mom became sick with German
Measles mid-term. They were worried I might be born Deaf. German Measles tend to
have different birth deficiencies: deafness, blindness, and other things. At this time
there was not a lot of technology to test hearing (Translated). Paul stated that his
mother was the first person to suspect that he had a hearing loss, My mom would
be yelling my name, or saying my name and I didnt react. My mom responded by
thinking Oh yea, he is probably deaf (Translated). Throughout Pauls life, he
attended many different types of educational settings, which will be discussed later,

and he completed a B.A. at Gallaudet. Paul is originally from Nova Scotia, but has
been on the west coast for many years. His family still lives back east.
ASL as a first language
Throughout our course we have read about ASL as a first language, and also
oral communication methods for deaf and hard of hearing people. In an article by
Schick, The Development of American Sign Language and Manually Coded English
Systems, the importance of learning ASL as a first language is described, and
Pauls personal experience directly relate to Schicks findings. We talked about how
many of Pauls Deaf friends had learned ASL later on in life after attending oral
method schools. Paul stated A lot of them (his friends) say they wish they had
learned ASL before, because it is easier to pick up English. For example if a foreign
French student comes here, it is easier for them to learn English if they know
French. To have that language base is important (Translated). Schick also identifies
that Deaf children who are not exposed to ASL still develop ASL language
characteristics, Supalla (1991), found that all of his subjects produced verbs with
spatial modification even though their teachers did not." (Schick pg. 227). This
supports the idea that ASL is a good base language, and Deaf children inherently
understand some characteristics of sign language. Paul said that 90% of his deaf
friends have rejected oral communication after their oral education, and now use
ASL to communicate. On this topic currently, Paul explained, I notice in education,
deaf kids in oral programs are falling behind. Maybe because they are not noticing
exactly what they should be, and not understanding exactly what is being
communicated (Translated). Paul spent many years in an oral school, before being
put in a deaf school which used ASL. He describes the difference being immense
so I was put into the signing school environment. It was way easier for me, and I

definitely caught up immediately, especially in English, it was easier writing and

reading. My literacy improved greatly (Translated). I thought this was a really
interesting revelation, especially because Paul says that he had immediate
improvement when he was in the signing environment. He no longer had to strain to
understand oral language, he could use ASL and communicate with ease. What Paul
described, about his English skills (reading and writing) improving after he was able
to learn fluent ASL is mirrored by what Schick described in his article.

Oralist Methods
In our course, we have also covered topics related to Deaf History. Ladds
article, Colonization and Resistance: A Brief History of Deafhood, Ladd describes
the oralization of deaf and hard of hearing people, and also the history of the bans
on sign languages. Paul mentioned the oral methods he was exposed to as a child,
which support Ladds article. Paul spent the majority of his childhood and
adolescence in an oral school for the deaf, Montreal Oral School for the Deaf
(MOSD). About his experience in the oral school, Paul stated I was behind in
subjects, I was really struggling in English. My dad was really confused as to why I
was so behind in English, I think it was mostly because in oral school I was missing a
lot, I couldnt really grasp what they were talking about. They would be talking
really fast, and I could not lip-read fast enough (Translated). Paul was not able to
fully grasping the concepts that were being taught at the oral school. Paul also
speaks about being forced to wear hearing aids, which mirror Ladds concept of the
oralist holocaust (2008). To Ladd, oralist methods have had far reaching

consequences, as he stated .. Deaf scholars, few in number because we are the

first generation to emerge from what I have termed the oralist holocaust(2008).
Paul explained At the oral school we were required to have hearing aids. I tried to
get rid of them but the teachers made sure we wore them. The teachers would send
you home to get the hearing aids if you did not have them (Translated). ASL or any
sign language was also not allowed at MOSD. Paul described that reality, I was not
allowed to sign at the oral school. It was like, put your hands down, no signing. I had
a few deaf friends that knew some signs and they were instantly punished. I find it
strange to limit someones communication like that (Translated).
Paul says that he only known the oralist approaches to communication, he
would not have been exposed to Deaf Culture. He explained When I think about it,
if I was in oral school only, I would not have succeeded, or gone to university. I
would not have known about Gallaudet, or been in the Deaf world. I would have no
idea about all of these opportunities. When I went to the deaf school and learned
about sign language, and all of these different programs, I wanted to learn more,
and I was so interested in the Deaf world (Translated). It is astounding to know
that on choice, choosing ASL or oral communication, can change the course of
someones life.
Deaf Culture
ASL
Paul discussed the importance of Deaf Culture, and how ASL is integral to
being a part of the Deaf community, and understanding Deaf Culture. Paul
described his exposure to ASL, Learning ASL, it opened up a whole new world of
Deaf Culture, and different experiences (Translated). Although Paul had been

diagnosed with a hearing loss as an infant, he was not exposed to Deaf Culture until
he went to a school for the Deaf that used ASL.
Differences between countries
While we were discussing Deaf Culture, Paul brought up the fact that the
United States has a larger and more prevalent Deaf Community, and more places
for Deaf people. In the article The Decline of Deaf Clubs in the United States: A
Treatise on the Problem of Place by Carol Padden, the concept of Deaf places and
spaces is discussed. Padden (2008) stated There are very few places Deaf people
can call their own (pg.169). This sentiment was echoed by Paul, especially when it
came to places that ASL could be used to communicate. Paul said that it easier for
him to use ASL in the United States, because many hearing people also understand
ASL. Although the typically-hearing people may not be fully involved in the Deaf
Community, the fact that Deaf people can actively use ASL in their day-to-day life
does show that Deaf Culture and language is more prevalent and that creates
more Deaf places. Paul explained Its quite different in the states, if I order
something from Starbucks or something, sometimes it happens that the person will
know sign language that tends to not happen in Canada (Translated). The Deaf
Community is also larger in the States, and more typically-hearing people can
interact with Deaf people, using ASL with ease. The fact that Deaf people and
typically-hearing people can communicate using ASL opens up a larger community
for Deaf people. From Pauls perspective I have met a ton of people in the states
through knowing ASL, here (in Canada) once in a while you will meet someone
outside of the deaf community who knows ASL (Translated).
Deaf Autonomy

For part of the interview, I wanted to focus on the idea of Deaf Culture, and
the idea Deaf people having autonomy over Deaf culture. In our course, we have
studied Deaf History. One of the concepts that continuously arises is the idea that
typically-hearing people are put in charge of associations that directly affect Deaf
people. The fact is that for many years, Deaf people were not in charge of Deaf
associations, and typically-hearing people would make decisions about Deaf people.
Paul described this phenomena For many years, the deaf environment had nondeaf people being in charge of deaf societies and deaf centers. This is an old issue
that Deaf people have been struggling with for so long, and it is always being
brought back again (Translated). Specifically, Paul brought up the Island Deaf and
Hard of Hearing Centre (IDHHC), which is located in Victoria. On the appointed
director, he stated the director has no background with deaf education, no ASL
skills, and she doesnt understand deaf issues. It is important for deaf people to be
involved with organizations that are for deaf people. I was surprised that the board
hired her, because she has no background in any deaf issues she has experience
in collecting money, but no experience with Deaf people (Translated). The fact that
the IDHHC was being led by someone with no connection or ties to the Deaf
Community was upsetting for Paul and it ties into what has happened in Deaf
History. A pattern of deaf associations being directed by typically-hearing people.
Paul also mentioned that Canada has more work to do with this issue he feels that
Canada is behind in programs and laws that promote Deaf people and the Deaf
Community. He explained In the US there are a lot of deaf leaders, teachers,
bosses, they have a lot of deaf people there. They also have good laws. The
Canadian laws are pretty weak... We have human rights but it is a bit weak
compared to the united states. In the states they have a program called affirmative

action, which means you have to hire equally, deaf and hearing people. Here in
Canada we do not have anything like that (Translated).

Conclusion
Being able to discuss some of the issues and concepts we have studied in
class was very enlightening. It was great to be able to hear the perspective of an
active member of the Deaf Community. I want to learn about Deaf Culture, and the
only way to do that is by interacting with Deaf Community members. Paul was
gracious, and very kind to talk about the issues that were important to him. It was
interesting to see how so many of the topics we are learning about are current
issues in the Deaf Community. This interview allowed me to have insight into the
Deaf Community, and allowed to develop a greater understanding of Deaf Culture.
Citations
Harvey, P. (2013, October 16). Personal interview.
Ladd, P. (2008) Colonization and Resistance: A Brief History of Deafhood. in Dirksen,
H., & Bauman, L. (Eds.). (2008). Open Your Eyes; Deaf Studies Talking. Minneapolis
MN: University of Minnesota Press. (42-59)
Padden, Carol. The Decline of Deaf Clubs in the United States: A Treatise on the
Problem of Place. in Dirksen, H., & Bauman, L. (Eds.). (2008). Open Your Eyes.
Minneapolis MN: University of Minnesota Press. Pg. 169-176.
Schick, B. (2003). The Development of American Sign Language and Manually
Coded English Systems. Oxford Handbook of Deaf Studies, Language, and
Education. (pg. 219-231) Oxford Publishing.