Joseph Hill, an RIT associate professor who researches Black Sign Language, explained that some deaf people become wary whenever someone learns a language from a linguistic minority, like American Sign Language (ASL), for self-serving reasons. This caution stems from a deeply ingrained history where hearing individuals have utilized ASL primarily for their own advantage, rather than for the genuine benefit or empowerment of the Deaf community.
Understanding the Wariness in the Deaf Community
The apprehension felt by some deaf individuals is not arbitrary but is rooted in historical experiences and the vulnerability associated with being part of a linguistic minority. When a language is learned for purposes that do not genuinely serve the community from which it originates, it can inadvertently perpetuate cycles of exploitation or appropriation.
The Root Cause: Self-Serving Motives
According to Hill, the primary trigger for this wariness is:
- Self-Serving Reasons: When hearing individuals acquire ASL not out of a desire for authentic communication, cultural exchange, or support for the Deaf community, but rather for personal gain. This gain could be professional, social, or for performance-based purposes without reciprocal benefit to the Deaf.
- Historical Exploitation: There is a long-standing history where hearing people have used ASL for their "own gain," which often did not translate into positive outcomes for the Deaf population. This pattern has created a justifiable distrust.
Historical Context of ASL Use
Historically, the relationship between the hearing and Deaf communities regarding ASL has sometimes been fraught with power imbalances. Instances where hearing people have become "experts" or gatekeepers of ASL, sometimes without adequately centering Deaf voices or ensuring that the Deaf community directly benefits, contribute to this historical baggage. This dynamic can lead to a perception that the language, an integral part of Deaf identity and culture, is being commodified or leveraged for external benefit.
Impact on Linguistic Minorities
Languages of linguistic minorities, such as ASL, are often intertwined with the group's cultural identity, history, and survival. When outsiders learn these languages, especially without a respectful and beneficial interaction with the community, it can feel like a continuation of past injustices or a further marginalization of their unique cultural heritage. This makes the Deaf community particularly sensitive to the motivations behind learning ASL.
