Deafness as a Cultural Identity
Society generally views deafness as a disability. When a Deaf person is seen as a disabled person, there tends to be an emphasis on ‘fixing’ what is not ‘normal’ – the focus becomes the inability to hear. Yet if we are to see the Deaf person not as someone with a hearing impairment but as someone with a unique social identity and a user of a signed language, we are able to look beyond disability and accept deafness as a positive attribute.
So, what is Deaf Culture you ask? (INCOMPLETE)
Respect for Deaf people’s cultural and linguistic identity is needed in order for their human rights to be fully realized. Advocating for increased awareness with regard to Deaf Culture and Filipino Sign Language is crucial if we want to adequately address the linguistic rights of Deaf children and fight linguistic isolation.
So, what is Deaf Culture you ask? (INCOMPLETE)
Respect for Deaf people’s cultural and linguistic identity is needed in order for their human rights to be fully realized. Advocating for increased awareness with regard to Deaf Culture and Filipino Sign Language is crucial if we want to adequately address the linguistic rights of Deaf children and fight linguistic isolation.
Filipino Sign Language (FSL)
Filipino Sign Language (FSL) is the natural signed language of the Filipino Deaf community. Contrary to popular belief, its 'Filipino' label does not mean that it follows the syntax and grammar of the spoken Filipino language.
FSL is influenced by American Sign Language (ASL) and Signed English, both from which FSL has borrowed a number of signs. However,
What you should know:
FSL is influenced by American Sign Language (ASL) and Signed English, both from which FSL has borrowed a number of signs. However,
What you should know:
- Sign language is not English
- Filipino Sign Language does not follow spoken Filipino or Tagalog.
- FSL is not gesture. While the linguistically isolated deaf communicate through gesture, the language of the Deaf community is FSL.
- The manual alphabet is not sign language in its entirety. If a child knows the signed alphabet, it does not mean that he or she knows the meaning of fingerspelled words.
Read more about FSL and the Deaf community's efforts in having their language recognized:
http://opinion.inquirer.net/12233/the-right-of-the-deaf-to-their-language#0_undefined,0_
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/370169/pushing-filipino-sign-language
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/370169/pushing-filipino-sign-language
Terms: the Deaf-friendly and the Derogatory
deaf / Deaf
‘deaf’ is the best term to use when describing a deaf person’s hearing status: “He is deaf.” Deaf with a capital “D” refers to a person who is culturally deaf. In the Philippines, that means he or she identifies with the Deaf community, uses Filipino Sign Language, and sees deafness not as a disability, but as a unique characteristic that shapes who you are. A culturally Deaf Filipino is proud to be Deaf and has pride in the community’s language, FSL.
hard-of-hearing
This term is used to refer to people who have lost some of their hearing but are not considered deaf. Hearing loss may be caused by sickness, injury, or old age. Many who are hard-of-hearing do use a spoken language but may use a hearing aid to amplify speech sounds. It should be noted that not all people who are hard-of-hearing use sign language.
X deaf-mute
This term is still used in the Philippines despite the fact that the Filipino Deaf find it derogatory. ‘Mute’ denotes a sense of stupidity and the lack of ability to communicate through language, thus disregarding Filipino Sign Language.
X deaf and dumb
A largely outdated term, 'deaf and dumb' now seldom used to describe a deaf person because it is highly derogatory.
X hearing impaired
Deaf people disagree with the term ‘hearing impaired’ because it is implying an impairment rather than recognizing what the Deaf community is: a vibrant minority group bound together through a common language and rich culture. It is the equivalent of calling a Filipino person who cannot speak English ‘English impaired’ instead of Filipino. However, this term is still used in the educational system when referring to individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. Oftentimes, hearing people prefer to use the term ‘hearing impaired’ on the misguided notion that ‘deaf’ is an inappropriate label.
bingi
This is the Filipino equivalent of ‘deaf’. Often used to refer to elderly people who have lost some of their hearing, bingi is seldom used to describe members of the Filipino Deaf community. However, despite this, it is the correct term and the Filipino Deaf are advocating for its use in replacement of the widespread derogatory term pipi.
X pipi
This is the Filipino equivalent of ‘mute’ and refers to a person who cannot speak but is not necessarily deaf or hard-of-hearing. It carries with it the same prejudice as the English word ‘mute,’ disregarding the Deaf’s language and ability to communicate through language. Calling a Deaf person ‘pipi’ is highly frowned upon in the Deaf community; unfortunately, it is still the most common layman’s term used when a deaf person comes into conversation.
bungog
This is the Bikol word meaning ‘deaf’ and is used only by those who speak Bikolano, the language of the Bicol region. Bungog is a deaf-friendly term.
X pula / ngula
Both meaning ‘mute’ in Bikolano, these words are highly derogatory, yet because of a lack of sensitivity and awareness towards deaf people are still widely used among the hearing people of the region.
‘deaf’ is the best term to use when describing a deaf person’s hearing status: “He is deaf.” Deaf with a capital “D” refers to a person who is culturally deaf. In the Philippines, that means he or she identifies with the Deaf community, uses Filipino Sign Language, and sees deafness not as a disability, but as a unique characteristic that shapes who you are. A culturally Deaf Filipino is proud to be Deaf and has pride in the community’s language, FSL.
hard-of-hearing
This term is used to refer to people who have lost some of their hearing but are not considered deaf. Hearing loss may be caused by sickness, injury, or old age. Many who are hard-of-hearing do use a spoken language but may use a hearing aid to amplify speech sounds. It should be noted that not all people who are hard-of-hearing use sign language.
X deaf-mute
This term is still used in the Philippines despite the fact that the Filipino Deaf find it derogatory. ‘Mute’ denotes a sense of stupidity and the lack of ability to communicate through language, thus disregarding Filipino Sign Language.
X deaf and dumb
A largely outdated term, 'deaf and dumb' now seldom used to describe a deaf person because it is highly derogatory.
X hearing impaired
Deaf people disagree with the term ‘hearing impaired’ because it is implying an impairment rather than recognizing what the Deaf community is: a vibrant minority group bound together through a common language and rich culture. It is the equivalent of calling a Filipino person who cannot speak English ‘English impaired’ instead of Filipino. However, this term is still used in the educational system when referring to individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. Oftentimes, hearing people prefer to use the term ‘hearing impaired’ on the misguided notion that ‘deaf’ is an inappropriate label.
bingi
This is the Filipino equivalent of ‘deaf’. Often used to refer to elderly people who have lost some of their hearing, bingi is seldom used to describe members of the Filipino Deaf community. However, despite this, it is the correct term and the Filipino Deaf are advocating for its use in replacement of the widespread derogatory term pipi.
X pipi
This is the Filipino equivalent of ‘mute’ and refers to a person who cannot speak but is not necessarily deaf or hard-of-hearing. It carries with it the same prejudice as the English word ‘mute,’ disregarding the Deaf’s language and ability to communicate through language. Calling a Deaf person ‘pipi’ is highly frowned upon in the Deaf community; unfortunately, it is still the most common layman’s term used when a deaf person comes into conversation.
bungog
This is the Bikol word meaning ‘deaf’ and is used only by those who speak Bikolano, the language of the Bicol region. Bungog is a deaf-friendly term.
X pula / ngula
Both meaning ‘mute’ in Bikolano, these words are highly derogatory, yet because of a lack of sensitivity and awareness towards deaf people are still widely used among the hearing people of the region.
Educational Accessibility
The Republic Act No. 7277, implemented in 1991, entitled Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, is “an act providing for the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of persons with disabilities and their integration into the mainstream of society and for other purposes.” The Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities stands as testimony that there have been efforts to reach out to persons with disabilities; however, services remain insufficient and there is an immense need to improve educational access for the Deaf in the provinces. Thus, the provision of educational services is an effective way to reach the linguistically isolated Deaf.
In Albay, the reality of the Filipino Deaf remains far from ideal. The linguistic needs of Deaf children and youth are still not adequately addressed and isolation remains commonplace. In reality, the availability of programs and services accessible for the Deaf are extremely limited. Developing a community-based educational program that utilizes the untapped skills of the Deaf community and emphasizes culture rather than disability is a new approach that will undoubtedly help mobilize the Filipino Deaf towards recognition and equality in society.
(INCOMPLETE)
In Albay, the reality of the Filipino Deaf remains far from ideal. The linguistic needs of Deaf children and youth are still not adequately addressed and isolation remains commonplace. In reality, the availability of programs and services accessible for the Deaf are extremely limited. Developing a community-based educational program that utilizes the untapped skills of the Deaf community and emphasizes culture rather than disability is a new approach that will undoubtedly help mobilize the Filipino Deaf towards recognition and equality in society.
(INCOMPLETE)