SIGN LANGUAGE AS A FIRST LANGUAGE: SOME EXPERIENCES OF A HEARING CHILD OF DEAF PARENTS

Authors

  • Wenda Walton

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-vol3iss1id46

Abstract

This paper relates some experiences of a hearing person who has grown up with Deaf parents who use New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) as a primary mode of communication. It describes some of what it is like to be hearing in a Deaf community. It also describes experiences of being in a hearing community while being raised by Deaf parents. This includes what it was like to know both English and NZSL when few others did. Finally, as a qualified NZSL interpreter, issues of being both an interpreter and Deaf community member are introduced.

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How to Cite

Walton, W. (2008). SIGN LANGUAGE AS A FIRST LANGUAGE: SOME EXPERIENCES OF A HEARING CHILD OF DEAF PARENTS. Sites: A Journal of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies, 3(1), 168–182. https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-vol3iss1id46

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2006)

Section

Articles

License

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