Deaf World as Eye See It

Amy Cohen Efron discusses about ‘name-dropping’ among Deaf people in social situations.

Amy wondered if ‘name-dropping’ is the same with the hearing people? Find out what Amy learned…

[div hVlog style="text-align: center"]
[vPIP class="hVlogTarget" type="video/quicktime" onclick="vPIPPlay(this, 'name=qt', '', ''); return false;"]


[vPIP type="video/quicktime" onclick="vPIPPlay(this, 'name=qt', '', ''); return false;"]
Play Quicktime version 2:05 minutes long
[/div]

For some people who cannot view my videoclip… please click below

According to the book written by Anna Mindess, “Reading Between the Signs: Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpeters” Published in 1999 by Intercultural Press.

Mindess wrote: “In Deaf Culture, name-dropping serves the important function of validating one’s place in the community. One way to accomplish this is to find the appropriate moment to explain a little about your “background” and then mention the names of some well-known Deaf people with whom you have had connections.”

Mindess also added: “While in mainstream American culture name-dropping is seen as showing off, for hearing people involved in the Deaf community, it shows that you can be trusted.”

Name-dropping was defined in Wikipedia:

Name dropping can also be used to identify people with a common bond. By indicating the names of people one knows, one makes known his or her social circle, providing an opportunity for others with similar connections to relate.

Also in the culture – it can be negative. Name dropping is used to position oneself within a social hierarchy. It is often used to create a sense of superiority by raising one’s status. By implying (or directly asserting) a connection to people of high status, the name-dropper hopes to raise his or her own social status to a level closer to that of those whose names he or she has dropped, and thus elevate himself or herself above present company.

I think it is very interesting, and it made me wonder what might happen to young Deaf children and adults who are raised in the mainstream setting, where they usually follow the majority of peers who don’t ‘name-drop’.

What do you think?