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The Complexities of Deaf Identities

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Identity Revisited and Reimagined

Abstract

Knowing that one cannot hear does not automatically give rise to a deaf identity. In contrast to stereotypical perceptions of deaf people as a hegemonic group, it is important to acknowledge the existence of different groups of deaf individuals, each of which reflects different deaf identities. Life experiences, including those related to parent influences, school environments, exposure to deaf people, attitudes about deaf people, and cultural environments influence the specific deaf identity that deaf individuals may internalize. Identities related to ethnic background, sexual orientation, and additional disability status among other individual characteristics do not exist in isolation. Rather, these multiple identities intersect with each other and with deaf identities in unique ways. Additionally, identities are dynamic rather than static. This chapter explores the complexities in deaf identities, the process of deaf identity formation, theoretical frameworks, and intersectionality. Areas where research is needed are highlighted.

Portions of the material presented in this chapter have been excerpted from Leigh (2009, 2012).

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The cochlear implant is a small electronic device that that provides the ability to hear. The internal portion is surgically inserted into the cochlea of the inner ear. The external portion is placed behind the ear. It has the potential to help deaf individuals develop or understand spoken language.

  2. 2.

    The use of lower case deaf refers to deaf people with severe-to-profound hearing levels, while upper case Deaf denotes those who identify with and affiliate with Deaf culture.

  3. 3.

    Languaculture is defined as “the transmission of culture by means of a language” (Horejes 2012, p. 156).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, USA

    Irene W. Leigh

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  1. Irene W. Leigh
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Correspondence to Irene W. Leigh .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education and Communication, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden

    Sangeeta Bagga-Gupta

  2. Department of Research and Development, Statped, Trondheim, Norway

    Aase Lyngvær Hansen

  3. Language and Communication Studies, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Julie Feilberg

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Leigh, I.W. (2017). The Complexities of Deaf Identities. In: Bagga-Gupta, S., Hansen, A., Feilberg, J. (eds) Identity Revisited and Reimagined. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58056-2_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58056-2_10

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