ADA stands for "Americans with Disabilities Act."
This law has had a profound beneficial impact on the lives of Deaf people.
AGB stands for Alexander Graham Bell. In general
AGB is held in low esteem by many in the Deaf community because of his efforts to
suppress the use of sign language in favor of oralism.
American Sign Language: is the language of choice of
Culturally Deaf people in America and many other areas in the world.
ASDC stands for American Society for Deaf Children.
This organization was set up in 1967 and has chapters all over the U.S.
Their purpose is to provide support, encouragement, and information to
families raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing. (For more
information, see: http://www.deafchildren.org)
ASLTA stands for American Sign Language Teachers
Association. It is a national organization dedicated to the improvement and
expansion of the teaching of ASL and Deaf Studies. (For more information,
see: http://aslta.org/)
BiBi stands for "bilingual/bicultural." This is a
philosophy of embracing two languages and cultures.
BSL stands for British Sign Language. This signed
language is used in Britain and other areas of the world. One of its
differences from ASL is that BSL uses a two-handed manual alphabet.
Carpal Tunnel (CT): A syndrome that causes numbness
and/or pain in the wrists. This is a common problem affecting interpreters
for the Deaf and many Deaf people.
CC stands for "closed captioning" or "close
captions." Don't worry whether it is "closed" or "close" (without the
"d"). A Google search at the time of this writing turned up about ten times
more documents using the "closed" (with the "d") term than "close" (without
the "d.") This refers to captions (subtitles) that are embedded (hidden) in
a video signal and require a special decoder to be seen. In the "old days"
this decoder was a box that sat on top of your TV. Now the decoder is
commonly included in TV circuitry and is not a separate device. These
captions are turned on or off using your TV's configuration menu.
Childbirth: While many Deaf are happy regardless
whether their child is born hearing or deaf. Many Deaf couples hope for a deaf baby and are disappointed if their child is born hearing.
Classifiers are signs that are used to represent
general categories or "classes" of things. They can be used to describe the
size and shape of an object (or person). They can be used to represent the
object itself, or the way the object moves or relates to other objects (or
people). Another definition is: "A set of handshapes that represent classes
of things that share similar characteristics."
Clerc, Laurent: Laurent Clerc was born south of
Lyons, France, in 1785. He became deaf due to an accident when he was very
young. He enrolled at age 12 at the National Institute for the Deaf in Paris
and graduated eight years later and became a tutor for the Institute. He
journeyed to America at the request of Thomas H. Gallaudet in 1817 and
helped establish the first American school for the deaf. He retired at age
73.
CODA stands for Child of Deaf Adult. In the Deaf
world, a hearing child of Deaf parents is referred to as a Coda. Codas are
generally considered to make the best interpreters because of their
familiarity with ASL and Deaf Culture.
Cued Speech: Was developed in 1966 by R. Orin
Cornett at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. The cues consist of eight
handshapes used in four different positions. You use these cues in
combination with the natural mouth movements that occur during speech. The
cues help individuals who are deaf to clarify sounds that might otherwise be
indistinguishable on the lips.
Cultural Model: People who feel that Deafness is
about language and culture subscribe to the "cultural" view of Deafness.
Culturally: In general, we do not need to add the
word "culturally" to the uppercase word "Deaf." The phrase "culturally
Deaf" is redundant because the uppercase spelling of the term "Deaf" already
includes the concept of "culture."
Culture: Deaf Culture consists of the norms,
beliefs, values, and mores shared by members of the Deaf Community.
Deaf with a Capital "D": Refers to being
culturally Deaf. Embracing the cultural norms and values of the Deaf Community.
deaf with a lowercase "d": Refers to
being physically deaf, (not culturally Deaf).
Note: Physical "deafness" refers to a level of hearing below which a person
is unlikely to understand speech for everyday communication purposes. For
example, a person's hearing is not sufficient use the phone.
Deaf Community: In general, the worldwide "Deaf
Community" consists of those Deaf people throughout the world who use sign
language and share in Deaf culture.
Deaf School: State residential schools
for the Deaf are important institutions in the Deaf community. A "Deaf
School" specifically refers to a state residential school. This is different
from a "Deaf program" or a "day program" where students do not live on
campus.
Disability Group: Deaf people do not view
themselves as a disability group. Instead we see ourselves as a linguistic
and cultural minority. We are an ethnic group with a shared culture and
bonded together by a common language. (That doesn't mean that there aren't
physically deaf people in the U.S. who consider themselves disabled. There
are indeed many such individuals, but they are generally not fluent in ASL,
did not attend state residential schools for the deaf, are not married to
another deaf person, did not attend Gallaudet or a university with a strong
Deaf program, and cannot realistically be considered culturally Deaf,
therefore they are not members of the central "Deaf Community."
Dominant Hand: The hand you do most of your signing
with.
DPN stands for Deaf President Now. DPN was both a
campus protest and an international Deaf movement. It took place the week
of March 6, 1988 at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. Elizabeth
Zinser, a hearing woman, had been newly elected president of Gallaudent
University. The students and international Deaf Community demanded and
received a Deaf president: I. King Jordan.
Fingerspelling is also sometimes called "The
American Manual Alphabet." It consists of 22 handshapes that--when held in
certain positions and/or are produced with certain movements-- represent the
26 letters of the American alphabet.
Fonts, ASL: There is a type font that resembles
fingerspelling. It is called Gallaudet (true type) and is available for
download from the net.
GA means Go Ahead. This is an abbreviation commonly
used while typing on a TTY (teletype). It means you are done with your turn
and it is the other person's turn to go ahead and type.
Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. is a
liberal arts college for deaf and hard of hearing students.
Gallaudet University is held in very high regard by
Culturally Deaf people.
Gallaudet, Edward Minor: The youngest Son of Thomas
Hopkins Gallaudet. Dr. Edward Miner Gallaudet was the founder and the first
president of the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and the Dumb (Renamed
Gallaudet College in 1893 and renamed again in 1986, Gallaudet University
upon receiving university status) in 1857 in Washington, D.C. He served as a
president from 1864 to 1910. (Source: Gallaudet.com)
Gallaudet, Thomas Hopkins: Born December 10, 1787 in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He entered Yale University at age 14. He
graduated from Yale first in his class three years later, and decided to
join the ministry. Reverend Gallaudet met Dr. Mason Cogswell and his deaf
daughter Alice. Dr. Cogswell persuaded Mr. Gallaudet to travel to England
to study their methods of teaching deaf students. There Gallaudet met a deaf
educator, Laurent Clerc, and convinced him to come back to America and help
establish the first American school for the Deaf.
Handedness: Left-handed people sign left-hand
dominant--a mirror image of right handed signers. Left-handed people also
fingerspell with their left hand.
Hearing Impaired: The term "Hearing Impaired" is
not used by Deaf people to describe ourselves. We refer to ourselves as
being Deaf. When referring to all people with a hearing loss we tend to use
the phrase, "Deaf and hard of hearing." Sample of outdated usage: The
Regional Center for the Hearing Impaired." A sample of a current,
appropriate usage: The Regional Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing."
While at one time the phrase "hearing impaired" was considered to be
politically correct, it was an external label applied to Deaf people by
Hearing people. The phase Hearing Impaired was never embraced by the Deaf
Community.
Hearing Impaired: An obsolete term. Refers to
all people who have a hearing loss. Instead use the
phrase "Deaf and hard of hearing."
Hearing of Hearing Adults: HOHA: The hearing child
of hearing parents.
Hearing: (Hearing People or Hearies): Non-Deaf people.
Specifically hearing people who are unfamiliar with Deaf Culture, but can
include all hearing people.
HoH stands for Hard of Hearing. Also "HH."
HoH people have some hearing loss but can generally use the phone with amplification and can understand
spoken speech depending on a number of factors including: distance, volume,
facial hair, lighting, familiarity with topic, situational cues, accents,
and noise. Thus the environment has a big impact on whether a HoH functions
as a hearing person or a deaf person.
Hugs: Deaf people tend to hug more than Hearing
(American) people.
IEP stands for Individualized Education Program.
Deaf children are entitled to an IEP.
Interpreter for the Deaf: In the Deaf Community we
refer to terps as "interpreters" not "translators." Also, interpreter is
spelled with "er" not "or." In ASL class discussions, the phrase "interpret"
means to go from spoken English to ASL or from ASL to spoken English.
ITP stands for Interpreter Training Program
Jr.NAD stands for Junior National Association of the
Deaf. This is the youth division of the National Association of the Deaf
Leave-taking: Deaf leave-taking (good-byes) tend to
be extended (take a long time).
Lighting: Lighting and the ability to see
each other is very important to Deaf people. One of the reasons Deaf people
sometimes prefer to hang out in the kitchen is because the lighting is
better.
LRE stands for Least Restrictive Environment. The
question is, what education environment is "least restrictive" for a deaf
child? A residential school for the deaf, a local school with an
interpreter, a day program, an inclusive charter school, or some other
education environment.
LSQ stands for Langue des Signes Quιbecois is a
popular signed language used in Canada. Many people in Canada also use ASL.
MCE stands for Manually Coded English. There are
several signing systems designed to portray English on the hands. These
various systems can be lumped under the term MCE, or Manual English, or
"Signed English."
Meeting new people: Upon meeting for the first
time, Deaf people tend to exchange detailed biographical information and
describe our social circles in considerable depth.
Movies involving Deaf Characters: Bridge to Silence,
Love is never Silent, Children of a Lesser God, and others.
NAD stands for National Association of the Deaf the
world's oldest deaf advocacy organization. See www.nad.org
NCI stands for National Captioning Institute. The
NCI was established in 1979 as a nonprofit corporation with the mission of
ensuring that deaf and hard of hearing people, as well as others who can
benefit from the service, have access to television's entertainment and news
through the technology of closed captioning.
NERDA stands for Not Even Related to a Deaf Adult.
A comical reference to Hearing people who don't have ties to the Deaf World.
NMM: Non-manual markers: Non-manual markers are
facial expressions and body movements. Non-manual markers are used to
inflect signs. That means to change, influence, or emphasize the meaning of
a sign or signed phrase. For example, when asking a question that can be
answered with a "yes" or "no" you raise your eyebrows a bit and tilt your
head forward slightly.
NFSD: The (former) National Fraternal Society of the Deaf.
Offered
insurance as well as fraternal and community service activities for Deaf
people.
NTD stands for National Theater of the Deaf. The
NTD is a touring theater group composed of Deaf and hearing actors who
entertain audiences worldwide through music, sign language, and the spoken
word.
NTID stands for National Technical Institute for the
Deaf. NTID is located in Rochester New York and is a popular choice for
Deaf students.
Oral / Oralism refers to a philosophy of encouraging
(forcing) Deaf to speak and read lips rather than use sign language.
Pathological or Medical model: People who feel that
deafness is problem to be solved subscribe to the "pathological view" or the
"medical model" of deafness.
Pathological View of Deafness: Pathology (in
general) is the study of disease. Deaf people don't consider themselves to
have a disease or problem. I took a sign class with me to visit a Deaf
party. Some of my students sat with me in the Deaf circle. I decided to ask
if any of them would like their hearing back suppose a magic pill could take
care of it and they wake up tomorrow "hearing" they each said (via signing)
NO! My students were shocked I had to explain in class the next day that
Deaf people do not consider their condition pathological. To the Deaf,
deafness is cultural.
Phrase: "Deaf People Can Do Anything Except Hear."
This is a popular phrase in the Deaf world.
PSE stands for Pidgin Signed English. Now referred
to as "contact signing." Contact signing is often used when Deaf and hearing
individuals need to communicate. One way to describe it is as a "middle
ground" between artificially invented signed English systems and ASL. PSE
follows English word order while using ASL signs.
Public Law 94-142: Passed in 1975. The goal was to
promote a free and appropriate education for all children.
Relay Service: A relay service allows hearing people
to call deaf, and vice versa. A communication assistant (CA) answers your
call then relay information back and forth between you and a deaf
RID stands for Registry of Interpreters for the
Deaf. The RID is the worlds largest association of interpreters for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The RID conducts and promotes certification of
interpreters for the Deaf. See www.RID.org.
RSC stands for Reverse Skills Certificate.
This is a type of interpreter certification. This
refers to the ability to understand and voice what is being signed.
School for the deaf, or "Deaf School." Refers
to residential schools for the Deaf. Culturally Deaf adults who
attended a Deaf School are proud of that fact.
SEE stands for Signing Exact English. An invented
sign system intended to represent English with the intent to assist deaf
children in the acquisition of English.
SIMCOM stands for Simultaneous Communication. Simcom
is when you sign and voice at the same time.
SK stands for Stop Keying. It is used to end a TTY (teletype) conversation.
It indicates that
you are going to "hang up" or terminate the conversation. SKSK (a double
SK) is a response by the other person that he acknowledges that you are
ending the conversation and that he or she is quitting too.
SSI stands for Supplementary Security Income.
People on SSI receive regular checks from the government to
help pay for basic living expenses.
Stay Deaf: Many, if not most, Culturally Deaf
people if given the chance to become hearing would choose to remain deaf.
Storytelling: The ability to skillfully tell a
story is highly valued in Deaf Culture.
TC stands for Total Communication, a philosophy of
Deaf Education that advocates using signing, voicing, writing, and other
methods of communication.
TTY / TDD stands for "teletype" or Telecommunication
Device for the Deaf. These days it means the same thing as a TTY. In the
old days, a TTY was a huge clunker that required a wheelbarrow to move
around. TTY's shrank in size and people began calling them TDDs or even Text
Telephones but the Deaf Community continues to refer to the devices as TTYs.
Instant Messaging via the net has reduced the use of TTYs.
Uppercase Deaf / Lowercase deaf: While the
uppercase and lowercase spellings of Deaf and deaf have not yet become
standardized in print media, in general the lowercase spelling refers to
being physically deaf while the uppercase spelling refers to someone who has
internalized the language, beliefs, values, traditions, attitudes, manners,
and ways of the Deaf community.
Voicing: Some deaf people never voice. Others
voice as well as a typical Hearing person. Others engage in "selective
voicing." One place you will sometimes see such Deaf people
using voice is with their kids. In the home parents often
need to get their kids attention and voicing
is an easy way to do it. Also the children get used to the voice and can
understand it just fine. Deaf are much less likely to voice to a hearing
stranger. With their kids they feel comfortable, but with strangers we feel
very cautious (as any oppressed group would). We don't tend to voice when
we are talking with another Deaf person. Why voice to other Deaf? Another
reason is we can't use voicing and ASL grammar at the same time. (See Simcom).
It is not appropriate to ask a Deaf person if they can voice.
VP stands for video phone.
VR stands for "vocational rehabilitation." This is
an important government agency because it helps provide training and
employment assistance to many Deaf people. (As well as others who have one
or more conditions that limit
* VRS stands for video relay service.
The following items are being retired from this list:
Gestuno: A system of signing that was developed to be non-offensive in its gestures and thus helpful for
international communications.
01. What do we call a hearing child of Deaf
parents?
02. What is the philosophy of embracing two languages and cultures?
03. Name the world's oldest deaf advocacy organization.
04. At what university did the "Deaf President
Now" protest take place?
05. What letters do Deaf people tend to use to indicate they are
ending a teletype phone call?
06. What is the name of the Deaf man who came to America
in 1817 from France and helped Thomas H. Gallaudet and establish the first
American school for the deaf?
07. What service uses communication assistants to allow hearing people
to call deaf, and vice versa?
08. What is the government agency that helps provide training and
employment assistance to many Deaf people?
09. What do we call facial expressions and body movements that
are used to inflect signs?
10. What is the name of government program that provides regular
paychecks to help some Deaf people pay for basic living expenses?