NIC Deaf Culture 3

Question 1

Which historical event is known as the 'Deaf President Now' protest, and what was its outcome?

Accepted Answer

A 1988 student-led protest at Gallaudet University that resulted in the appointment of the university's first Deaf president

Answer

In 1988, Gallaudet students shut down the campus to demand a Deaf president; the board capitulated and I. King Jordan became the university's first Deaf president.

Question 2

What is meant by 'Deaf-World' or 'Deaf community' as distinct from simply being audiologically deaf?

Accepted Answer

A social and cultural community united by shared language (ASL), values, and experiences — membership is cultural, not purely audiological

Answer

The Deaf-World is defined by cultural participation and shared language rather than degree of hearing loss; hearing children of Deaf adults (CODAs) and some hard of hearing people are members.

Question 3

How does Deaf culture generally view the use of ASL compared to spoken English?

Accepted Answer

ASL is valued as a complete, natural language equal in status to any spoken language, central to Deaf cultural identity

Answer

Linguistic research since William Stokoe's 1960 work has confirmed ASL as a fully autonomous language, and the Deaf community embraces it as a primary marker of cultural identity.

Question 4

What is 'oralism,' and why is it controversial within the Deaf community?

Accepted Answer

A historical and ongoing educational philosophy that prioritizes speech and lip-reading while prohibiting or discouraging sign language

Answer

Oralism, which peaked after the 1880 Milan Congress banned sign language instruction, is viewed by many Deaf people as culturally oppressive because it suppressed ASL and Deaf identity in schools.

Question 5

In Deaf culture, what is the proper way to pass between two people who are signing to each other?

Accepted Answer

Walk through while briefly dipping your head or signing 'excuse me,' which is culturally accepted

Answer

Walking through a signing conversation with a brief duck of the head or a quick 'excuse me' sign is a commonly accepted social norm in Deaf culture, analogous to 'excuse me' in a hearing group.

(NIC) National Interpreter Certification Practice Test

(NIC) National Interpreter Certification Practice Test

NIC Deaf Culture 3