Children of Deaf Adults in Ireland: Bilingualism in Irish Sign Language and English, and Biculturalism in Hearing and Deaf cultural communities

Hearing children raised by d/Deaf adults (CODAs) are a unique group in terms of their linguistic and cultural upbringing. They are potential members of the Deaf community, if their parents pass on sign language and Deaf culture to them, and at the same time they pass as typical members of the hearing community, acquiring the spoken language and majority culture of the community. To date, very little research has looked at CODAs and no research has looked at adult Irish CODAs as a linguistic and cultural minority. This study aims to begin filling this gap in the literature and explore the language, culture and identity of Irish CODAs.

This study used mixed methodology and two distinct samples. Questionnaires and follow-up interviews were used with a sample of 18 Irish CODAs. Additionally, a focus group was conducted with 3 leaders of the Deaf community in Ireland in order to include the perspectives of d/Deaf individuals and the Deaf community regarding CODAs.

The findings indicate that Irish CODAs identify with a CODA identity. They see bilingualism in Irish Sign Language (ISL) and English, and biculturalism in Irish hearing and Irish Deaf cultures, as key aspects of that identity. They see themselves as members of the Irish Deaf community but can struggle to construct a role for themselves in the Deaf community due to their status as hearing individuals, and in the hearing community due to low awareness on the part of hearing individuals about Deaf culture and ISL.