Page 93 - Reading Between the Sign Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

78 Reading Between the Signs

about “obligation, duty and ritualized interaction,” which is in di-
rect contrast with the American emphasis on spontaneity in friend-
ships (101).
Having lifelong friendships is the norm in Deaf culture. Even
though miles and years separate old school classmates, the infor-
mal Deaf information network spreads the news of marriage, chil-
dren, and other life events so that friends keep up on each other’s
lives and can immediately renew their relationship if they happen
to be in the same place at the same time.
The way we deal with difficulties that arise in our friendships
also has cross-cultural overtones. In the United States if a problem
arises, we might choose to drift apart, knowing there will be other
friendships to take the place of this one. Russian friends, on the
other hand, will pursue a quick resolution to the problem through
a highly emotional exchange. A French friendship that breaks down
will likely be put on hold, though if either of the parties suffers a
terrible calamity, the other will immediately come to his or her
aid (102).
Since the Deaf world is so small, troubles with friends are
cause for great concern. One is likely to bump into that person at
some community gathering and news of the spat will get around.
Since friendships are expected to be lifelong, a problem between
friends can become a lifelong one. Sometimes the disputing friends
go through a cooling-off period before they deal with the conflict.
Often friends of the squabbling friends will get involved, giving
advice for ironing out their differences or even acting as media-
tors. Although not all such quarrels are resolved, in the small world
of the Deaf community there is great motivation to settle per-
sonal feuds.

Problem Solving

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” “Necessity is the mother of
invention.” Americans love to solve problems. As part of our fo-
cus on the pragmatic, we see a problem as something negative
that needs immediate action in order to be resolved. We are im-
patient with discussions of principle and theory and want to roll
up our sleeves and get right to work. In business, the steps in-
volved in problem solving have been formally set out: (1) define
the problem, (2) identify the obstacles, (3) draw up a list of pos-
sible options, (4) choose the best one, (5) make an action plan.

04 MINDESS PMKR 78 10/18/04, 11:25 AM