Sign with Robert: Deaf Culture

This second volume in deaf host Robert DeMayo's 10-volume series provides extensive—although at times also very repetitive—information about life as a deaf person. “Deaf Culture” notes that although “unity defines our culture,” deafness carries different labels: some choose “hard of hearing,” or define their handicap as a hearing loss, while others in the community identify as either deaf (lowercase letters) or as Deaf (uppercase). Also looking at CODAs (children of deaf adults), interpreters, hearing parents, ties between different countries—the U.S. has American Sign Language, but there are many others—and universal gestures (with examples of translations of “thank you”), the program features a detailed explanation of “name signs” that are usually created uniquely for a person (sometimes referencing physical traits, mannerisms, or work), and a roll call of pertinent acronyms for abbreviations, organizations, and terminology. Other segments in this volume include “Myths, Do's & Don'ts” (addressing appropriate ways of getting a deaf person's attention) and “Deaf History” (on events, inventors, and entertainers, but unfortunately without pictures). The backdrop of DeMayo signing with onscreen captions and voiceover available on only some of the clips is rather dry, but the content is thorough and sure to be helpful. Other titles in the Sign with Robert series include Sign Language Practice, Academic Signs, Survival Signs and Skills, and Numbers and Time (series price: $495: public libraries & junior and high schools; $895: colleges & universities). Recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (J. Williams-Wood)