The Deaf community in Australia is a diverse cultural and linguistic minority group that encompasses a vast network of social, political, religious, artistic and sporting groups that use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their primary mode of communication. Accepting one's Deafness as part of a person's identity is the core element in identification into the Deaf community and are often described as Deaf with a capital D to emphasise their deaf identity.

Identification with the Deaf community is a personal choice and it does not depend on the degree of deafness, rather on identifying with the cultural model of deafness. Culturally Deaf people, whether they have hearing aids, cochlear implants or use sign language see themselves as normal, not as abnormal hearing people. Although the Deaf community is heterogeneous in ethnicity, race, religion and other cultural characteristic, the community shares attitudes and beliefs that bond as common experiences and is united in identity by sharing Auslan. Auslan is a community language and one that is recognised by Australia's National Language Policy. It is a visual and spatial language that has its own grammar, syntax and idioms quite different from that of English.

Advocates of the cultural view promotes that Deaf people are not a disabled group, but a linguistic minority group. This has united and politicised the Deaf community as they strive to achieve their maximum potential. Deaf people, like their hearing peers, have the same aspirations, needs, desires of a quality lifestyle that will reap benefits to them and their families. Being proud of one's Deafness now takes full force in a variety of ways such as the Deaf festivals that are fostered each year across Australia throughout the National Week of Deaf people.

As with many other language groups there are some distinct cultural behaviours that unite that culture. Here are some of the cultural differences of the Deaf community:

Eye Contact
Since a Deaf person cannot hear what is being said they rely on body language and facial expression for cues. If eye contact is broken the Deaf person will stop communicating. In Deaf culture to look away when a person is speaking to you is considered to be rude.

Touching/Gaining Attention
A Deaf person may use touch to gain another person's attention. It is appropriate to touch another person's upper arm to gain their attention if they are not looking in your direction or move into their visual field so they can have eye contact with you. Turning lights off and on in a crowded room will signify to Deaf participants the meeting/seminar/conference is ready to begin. If the floor is wooden you may see a Deaf person stamping on the floor so vibrations will alert the other person/s to the fact that he/she wishes to communicate with them.

Body Language/Facial Expression
As mentioned before Body Language/Facial Expression is an integral part of Auslan. In response to a question asked by a non Auslan skilled hearing person, a deaf person may re-enact a situation using larger signs than usual and more exaggerated facial expressions to convey the intensity/gravity of the situation being explained. Exaggerated non-verbal expressions used by Auslan users can sometimes be misinterpreted and/or misunderstood by members of the wider community resulting in a communication break down.

Nodding
It must not be assumed the nodding of a Deaf person in response to a signed message necessarily signifies agreement with what is being signed. The nod may indicate:

• an understanding of the message rather than agreement
• an understanding of the signs used rather than the information presented
• to acknowledge the person is paying attention to what is being signed

Top