Communication Obstacles Between Deaf and Hearing Cultures

The challenges to communication between hearing and deaf cultures are discussed 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 hearing speech therapist who is trying to teach a deaf woman, Sarah Norman, how to speak. Through their interactions, the play highlights the difficulties of communication between hearing and non-hearing individuals, as well as the barriers that exist in society for people with disabilities.

One of the main barriers to communication in the play is the lack of understanding and acceptance of deaf culture. James, who is hearing, has a limited understanding of the deaf community and their 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 "lesser" 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 play is the lack of accessibility for the deaf community. Sarah and her friends at the school for the deaf are frustrated with the lack of accommodations and accessibility in society. They are not able to participate in many activities and events because they are not designed with the needs of the deaf community in mind. This lack of accessibility further isolates the deaf community and makes it difficult for them 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 with 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 play 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. While James is able to communicate with Sarah using sign language, he is not fluent in it and this creates a barrier to effective communication between them. The play 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 struggle for equality for people with disabilities. Sarah is a proud, independent woman who is frustrated with the lack of opportunities and the discrimination that 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.

In 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, inner conflicts within the deaf community, language barriers, and the struggle for equality. These themes raise important questions about the need for greater acceptance and understanding in society, as well as the importance of accessibility and communication in different languages. The play is a powerful reminder of the need for empathy and understanding in order to facilitate effective communication between different cultures.