ASL 123 Deaf Culture Videotape Response Questions
This page updated April 4, 2011

When you study a language, you must also study the culture of the people who use the language.  Through these videotapes we will explore the world of families with deaf children. All videotapes will be placed are on reserve in the Media Center in the Library and/or in the ASL/ITP Lab.

In-class viewing and response questions:

1.  For a Deaf Son:
 Imagine yourself a parent with a 2-year-old profoundly and pre-lingually deaf child.  Compare and contrast the information presented in the video and the information presented in your book "The Signing Family".  Make at least two observations about the information and one observation about your own response to the film.
Two page maximum.
 

Question:  Based on what you have learned about Deaf culture and the Deaf community, why do you think the Deaf community was so upset by the movie?

One page maximum.


Out-of-class assignment and response questions: 

2.   Sweet Nothing In My Ear:
 

This movie is not only about Adam, but also about the relationship that Laura and Dan has. What is special about their relationship? How do they feel about each other? How do the events throughout the story affect their relationship?

2. What caused Dan to start exploring his feelings towards Adam’s deafness? Why do you think he started doing this? Why is Dan experiencing this inner turmoil?

3. What is the cause of the conflict between Dan and Laura’s father? Why do you think that Laura’s father feels the way he does about Dan? Why do you think that Laura’s father has so much anger and bitterness?

4. How do you think both Laura and her mother feel about seeing their children experience loss of their hearing? How do their feelings contrast with what their own identify as Deaf people? How do they resolve this conflict within themselves?

5. During the climax of the movie, when Dan and Laura fight, she tells him she does not understand what happened – when did she become disabled to Dan – what did she mean by this? How did Dan respond to Laura’s statement?

6. Dan and Laura both obviously want the best for their son, Adam. They disagree on what this is. Do you think it is possible for them to come to an agreement?

7. Adam obviously has been affected by this throughout the story. How do you think he is feeling? How is he reacting to those events? What do you think Adam wants?

8. Last, but not least, how does the movie depicts both sides – for and against the cochlear implant. Is the Deaf cultural viewpoint depicted accurately and/or fairly? How about the other side – Dan’s side? Do you feel that this movie is biased one way or another? If so, how? If not, why not?