Final answer:
Deaf/hard of hearing people with a hearing cultural identity often embrace Deaf cultural pride and are deeply connected to their community through the use of American Sign Language (ASL) and other aspects of deaf culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deaf/hard of hearing people with a hearing cultural identity typically embrace Deaf cultural pride. This is reflected in the aspects of deaf culture, which includes their own language, schools, and customs. In the United States, deaf individuals often communicate using American Sign Language (ASL), which is a key component of deaf culture that fosters a sense of community and shared heritage. ASL is a purely visual language with no verbal components, consisting of signs and gestures.
Within deaf culture, there is a value placed on preserving traditions such as using sign language rather than solely focusing on assimilation strategies like verbal communication, lip reading, or the adoption of cochlear implants. Parents of deaf children face challenging decisions regarding whether to immerse their children in mainstream schools or to provide them with education that includes significant exposure to deaf culture through schools for the deaf.
These decisions might differ based on the parents' own experiences and whether they are themselves deaf. Cultural identity, whether in the context of deaf communities or other minority groups like indigenous tribes or African American communities, is deeply intertwined with language. Cultural practices, including language, help maintain a strong sense of community and identity.