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  • Essay / Barriers to Communication Between Deaf and Hearing Cultures

    Communication challenges between hearing and deaf cultures are addressed in Mark Medoff's play "Children of a Lesser God." The play is set in a school for the deaf where the main character, James Leeds, is a speech therapist who is trying to teach a deaf woman, Sarah Norman, to speak. Through their interactions, the play highlights the difficulties of communication between hearing and non-hearing people, as well as the barriers that exist in society for people with disabilities. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay One of the main barriers to communication in the room is the lack of understanding and acceptance of deaf culture. James, who can hear, has a limited understanding of the deaf community and its way of life. He initially believes that teaching Sarah to speak will help her integrate into mainstream society, but he soon realizes that this is not the case. Sarah is proud of her Deaf identity and does not want to be seen as "inferior" because of her disability. This clash of perspectives highlights the importance of understanding and accepting different cultures in order to facilitate effective communication. Another barrier to communication in the room is the lack of accessibility for the deaf community. Sarah and her friends at the school for the deaf are frustrated by the lack of housing and accessibility in society. They are unable to participate in many activities and events because they are not designed to meet the needs of the deaf community. This lack of accessibility further isolates the deaf community and makes it difficult to communicate with the hearing population. The play also explores the barriers to communication that exist within the deaf community itself. Sarah struggles with her identity as a deaf person and feels torn between her deaf culture and the hearing world. She is frustrated by the lack of opportunities available to her as a deaf person and feels that she is not fully accepted by either culture. This inner conflict highlights the complexities and nuances of communication within marginalized communities. Another barrier to communication in the room is the use of different languages. The deaf community uses American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary mode of communication, while the hearing population primarily uses spoken language. Although James is able to communicate with Sarah using sign language, he is not fluent in it, which creates a barrier to effective communication between them. The piece highlights the importance of being able to communicate in the language of the person you are trying to communicate with. The play also deals with the fight for equality for people with disabilities. Sarah is a proud, independent woman, frustrated by the lack of opportunities and discrimination she faces as a deaf person. Through her character and the themes of the play, the playwright raises important questions about the rights of people with disabilities and the need for greater acceptance and understanding in society. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.Get a custom essayIn conclusion, “Children of a Lesser God” is a play that explores the barriers to communication between deaf and hearing cultures. The play highlights the lack of understanding and acceptance of deaf culture, lack of accessibility, internal conflicts within the community..