Page 187 - Reading Between the Sign Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

172 Reading Between the Signs

advances have been made. Gallaudet has a Deaf president, and
Deaf people still feel pride in their united efforts that accomplished
that goal. The ADA has given Deaf people more options by ex-
panding their access to communication, education, and employ-
ment opportunities as well as increasing the hearing majority’s
awareness of the Deaf community. The interpreting profession
has matured through education, professional forums for sharing
our thoughts, and introspection. Yet, inequities and old attitudes
still exist in many quarters. If we believe in the basic equality of
Deaf people and want to see them achieve even more self-deter-
mination over their lives, it might be helpful to revisit some of
Baker-Shenk’s ideas.
In her presentation, Baker-Shenk cited specific instances,
which, taken together, characterize Deaf people as an oppressed
minority. ASL is not recognized as a language, and its use in schools
is prohibited. Teachers and counselors refute the existence of Deaf
culture. Deaf students are blamed for their poor academic perfor-
mance regardless of the fact that many of their teachers have
inadequate signing skills. The hearing majority views deaf people
as less intelligent, emotionally and behaviorally deviant, and in-
capable of self-determination. After receiving a less-than-adequate
education, deaf people are subject to a scarcity of jobs, including
fewer opportunities for advancement and a lower average income.
Deaf people are rarely accorded decision-making power in the
very institutions that are supposed to serve them (61). Although
recognition of ASL as a language has significantly increased (e.g.,
it is taught in many colleges and universities and may be used to
satisfy the foreign language requirement), most of Baker-Shenk’s
other points still contain some truth.
Baker-Shenk goes on to explain that the effects of oppression
on any group, including the Deaf, are numerous and pervasive,
including ambivalence regarding the feature that makes them dif-
ferent, horizontal or displaced violence against those who are more
accessible than the actual oppressors, a passive acceptance of the
status quo, a magical belief in the powers of the oppressor (e.g.,
they are smarter, they never make mistakes, they easily get jobs
and accumulate money), and an emotional dependence on them
(what Forestal aptly terms the “hostile dependency” that some
Deaf people feel for interpreters). Baker-Shenk is quick to point
out that the preceding analysis is not an accurate characterization
of all Deaf people. She suggests, however, “that the apparent par-
allels do warrant our serious attention” (65).

07 MINDESS PMKR 172 10/18/04, 12:02 PM