Deaf epistemologies as a critique and alternative to the practice of science: an anthropological perspective

IN THE LAST DECADE, and responding to the criticism of orientalism, anthropology has engaged in a self-critical practice, working toward a postcolonial perspective on science and an epistemological stance of partial and situated knowledge (Pinxten, 2006; Pinxten & Note, 2005). In deaf studies, anthropological and sociological studies employing qualitative and ethnographic methods have introduced a paradigm shift. Concepts of deaf culture and deaf identity have been employed as political tools, contributing to the emancipation process of deaf people. However, recent anthropological studies in diverse local contexts indicate the cultural construction of these notions. From this viewpoint, deaf studies faces a challenge to reflect on the notions of culture, emancipation, and education from a nonexclusive, noncolonial perspective. Deaf studies research in a global context needs to deal with cultural and linguistic diversity in human beings and academia. This calls for epistemological reflection and new research methods

Het emancipatieproces van de Vlaamse dovengemeenschap: identiteitsdynamieken vanuit een transnationaal perspectief en een vraag naar de erkenning van dove kennis- en leervormen

A first anthropological study of identity dynamics in Flemish deaf role models illuminates the emancipation process of the Flemish deaf community. Since deaf empowerment in the Flemish context is intimately tied to transnational contact and the globalization of empowering discourses, trends in and parallels with identity dynamics in northwestern Europe are explored. In this literature review a three-stages model of emancipation comes to the fore. The situation of the Flemish case into this model provides insight into the phenomenon of deaf people’s awakening: the politicization of deaf identities that is currently going on in western deaf communities. Trends of emancipation are intimately tied to changes in policy. A broader use of sign language in realms of family, education, employment and larger society is needed for the Flemish deaf community to move into the next stage. The study also throws a light on the visual exchange of deaf emancipatory knowledge, which can be perceived as a deaf way of education, and on collective and transnational practices of citizenship. In working towards a broader use of sign language in Flanders, a dialogue and the involvement of the deaf community in decision is needed. Deaf experiences and ways of knowing and learning should be taken into account

Identiteitsdynamieken in Vlaamse dove rolmodellen: een verkenning van tendensen in emancipatieprocessen in dovengemeenschappen en parallellen met etnische minderheden in Europa

In an exploratory qualitative case study, Flemish deaf role models experience the process of emancipation is a turning point In their lives, characterized by shifts in identity dynamics. Deaf people wake LIP When Corning into Contact With emancipatory discourses and placed with ideal conditions for deaf people. This process of deaf empowerment is intimately tied to a global-local interaction. In relation to developments in larger society, trends in and parallels between identity dynamics in deaf communities In northwestern Europe and ethnic minorities are explored. This leads to the hypothesis that the politicization of deaf identity in the study can be understood as a second stage in the emancipation process of deaf people in Flanders. Young deaf people in northwestern Europe move freely between the hearing and deaf world as sign language users in a third stage of the emancipation process. Drawing Upon a theoretical Framework of intercultural negotiation and shared citizenship, Flemish deaf people's awakening leads to conflicts bind opens the dialogue Oil the creation of a broader dimension of a sign language sociality in mainstream society This is necessary for deaf people to participate in society on equal terms and live Up to their potential