Politics of Visual Language: Deafness, Language Choice, and Political Socialization 9780773574137

Table of contents :
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Terminology
Sign Language
Demographics
Acknowledgements
I. POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION AND MARGINALIZATION
Socialization
Political Socialization
Theoretical Frameworks of Political Socialization
Marginalization
Theories of Political Marginalization
Neglect of the Disabled
Agencies for Examination
II. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE DEAF
History of the Deaf
After Milan
The Languages of the Deaf Classroom
Mainstreaming
Deaf Culture
III. SOCIALIZING AGENCIES
The Family
Diagnosis and Parental Reaction
Language Choice as Political Choice
"Normalization" versus "Managing Difference"
Power Relationships and the Pattern of Marginalization
A Particular Oralist Identity Problem
A Particular Manualist Identity Problem
The Schools and Peer Group
Choices
The School as a Reinforcer of Orientations
Environmental Concerns
Role Models
Language Challenge
Impact upon Political Learning
Internalization of Diffuse Support
Social Maturation and Peer Groups
Peer Group Attitudes
Quality and Ends of Education
IV. A COMPARATIVE GROUP STUDY
The Cochlear Implants Rally
Family Relations and Language/Identity Factors
Political Opinion, Participation, and Activity
Cochlear Implants: Attitudes and Activities
A Corollary Observation
Appendix: The Questionnaire and Responses
V. REFLECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Oralism
Manualism
Language as a Tool of D/deaf Political Socialization
Political Socialization and Marginalization: A Response to Taylor
Reflections upon the Comparative Group Study
Conclusion
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Citation preview

THE POLITICS OF VISUAL LANGUAGE

This page intentionally left blank

THE POLITICS OF VISUAL LANGUAGE Deafness, Language Choice, and Political Socialization

JAMES ROOTS

CARLETON UNIVERSITY PRESS

Copyright © Carleton University Press, 1999 ISBN 0-88629-345-6 (cloth) ISBN 0-88629-351-0 (paperback) Printed and bound in Canada Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data Roots, James, date The politics of visual language ; deafness, language choice, and political socialization Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-88629-345-6 (bnd) ISBN 0-88629-351-0 (pbk) 1. Deaf—Means of communication. 2. Deafness—Social aspects. I. Title.

HV2395.R66 1999

61.4'2

C98-901030-9

Cover art: Not my Choice, Elizabeth Morris's rendition of the Deaf perspective on childhood cochlear implants. Cover design: Liz Morris Design; photographer, Tom Rosenthal; and BCumming Design. Interior: Lynn's Desktop Publishing. Carleton University Press gratefully acknowledges the support extended to its publishing program by the Canada Council and the financial assistance of the Ontario Arts Council. The Press would also like to thank the Department of Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada, and the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation, for their assistance.

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Terminology Sign Language Demographics Acknowledgements

/ 3 J 6

I. POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION AND MARGINALIZATION Socialization Political Socialization Theoretical Frameworks of Political Socialization Marginalization Theories of Political Marginalization Neglect of the Disabled Agencies for Examination

7 8 9 14 16 22 25

II. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE DEAF History of the Deaf After Milan The Languages of the Deaf Classroom Mainstreaming Deaf Culture

27 jo 32 JJ J7

III. SOCIALIZING AGENCIES The Family Diagnosis and Parental Reaction Language Choice as Political Choice "Normalization" versus "Managing Difference" Power Relationships and the Pattern of Marginalization A Particular Oralist Identity Problem A Particular Manualist Identity Problem

43 43 45 47 48 jo 51

The Schools and Peer Group Choices The School as a Reinforcer of Orientations Environmental Concerns Role Models Language Challenge

JJ jj 54 JJ 56 56

Impact upon Political Learning Internalization of Diffuse Support Social Maturation and Peer Groups Peer Group Attitudes Quality and Ends of Education

J7 58 60 61 64

IV. A COMPARATIVE GROUP STUDY The Cochlear Implants Rally Family Relations and Language/Identity Factors Political Opinion, Participation, and Activity Cochlear Implants: Attitudes and Activities A Corollary Observation Appendix: The Questionnaire and Responses

67 68 70 ji 72 75

V. REFLECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Oralism Manualism Language as a Tool of D/deaf Political Socialization Political Socialization and Marginalization: A Response to Taylor Reflections upon the Comparative Group Study Conclusion BIBLIOGRAPHY

83 85 87 88 90