For hearing people only. (1990, February). Deaf Life, p. 7.

OVERVIEW

Many people are not aware that humor enjoyed by hearing kids may not be enjoyed by the deaf. Jokes relying on homonyms "are pretty much incomprehensible to many born-deaf people." Many factors establish differences in humor appeal. For one, most deaf children receive an inferior education to hearing children. Furthermore, many deaf students’ English skills operate at about a third-to fifth-grade level. This article raises the issue that "most congenitally deaf people can’t be expected to understand the whimsical aspects of English wordplay, much less enjoy it." This is because "much English humor, even if it is written, is oral based and inaccessible." Humor best received by the deaf is usually visually based, including "mime, gesture cinematic effects, and spontaneous sign play."

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

IMPLICATIONS

• What kind of humor do you typically employ when speaking to young people in a group setting?
• Why does humor involving puns prove to be successful? When should you refrain from use of puns? How might you change your use of humor when communicating with the deaf?
• How can one use a short article as this to improve their work with kids either deaf or normal hearing youth?

1. Because the deaf respond to humor differently from hearing people, one must be cognizant when using humor.
2. When communicating humor to the deaf, the speaker must be aware of the potential breakdown in translation. Consequently, the speaker needs to adapt humor to reach both the hearing and non-hearing audience.
3. Youth leaders must be very aware of their audience while not calling attention to them or their differences. Everyone must learn to relate with each other. Humor can be both useful and very destructive.