Books

The Deaf community’s unique relationship with language is, of course, irreducible to a single medium. The central role that books have played for the community is a mere glance at that nuanced and multi-faceted relationship.

Books considered seminal to the community have covered a broad range of subjects, such as the education of the Deaf, the linguistic codification of sign language, cultural, historical, and personal narratives. From the earliest accounts, we know of the community’s close relationship with the press and its members have historically occupied many positions, from bookbinding to editorship. More importantly, of course, is the role of the written text as a common ground. It functions as a mediator between the Deaf community and society at large insofar as it is a means ...