Demonstrate an understanding of how one language and culture can influence another

Standards Alignment

• TEKS.114.35.04C primary
  demonstrate an understanding of how one language and culture can influence another.

Lesson Overview

This lesson helps Grade 10 students understand how one language and culture can influence another by comparing American Sign Language (ASL) and American Deaf culture with their own language and culture. Students will explore cultural expressions, language structures, and communication styles to see how languages and cultures interact and shape each other.

Learning Objectives

• Explain how aspects of American Sign Language and American Deaf culture have influenced or been influenced by other languages and cultures.
• Identify examples of cultural expressions and communication styles in ASL and American Deaf culture compared to the student's own culture.
• Use ASL concepts and cultural knowledge to describe similarities and differences between ASL/American Deaf culture and their own language and culture.
• Demonstrate understanding of language and cultural influence through signing, speaking, writing, and discussion.

Success Criteria

• Students can give examples of how ASL and American Deaf culture have influenced or been influenced by other cultures.
• Students can compare cultural practices and language features between ASL/American Deaf culture and their own culture.
• Students can communicate ideas about language and culture influence using ASL and/or English with appropriate vocabulary and grammar.
• Students participate in discussions and activities showing respect for cultural differences and similarities.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of American Sign Language vocabulary and grammar at Level II, and some understanding of their own language and cultural practices.

Key Vocabulary

• American Sign Language (ASL)
• American Deaf culture
• Language influence
• Cultural influence
• Communication styles
• Expressions
• Register
• Gesture
• Classifier
• Concepts
• Cultural comparison

Materials and Resources

• Video clips showing ASL conversations and cultural events
• Handouts comparing ASL and English expressions
• Worksheets for cultural comparison
• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Markers

Teacher Preparation

• Review examples of ASL and American Deaf cultural expressions and language features.
• Prepare video or live demonstrations of ASL communication and cultural practices.
• Create comparison charts or graphic organizers for student use.
• Plan questions to guide discussion on language and culture influence.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Understanding Language and Culture Influence

Language and culture are deeply connected. When one language or culture interacts with another, they can influence each other in many ways. This can include borrowing words, adopting communication styles, or sharing cultural practices. For example, American Sign Language has developed unique expressions influenced by Deaf culture, and it has also been influenced by English and other languages through history.

American Sign Language and American Deaf Culture

ASL is a visual language used by the Deaf community in the United States. It has its own grammar, vocabulary, and cultural norms. American Deaf culture includes shared values, traditions, and ways of communicating that are different from hearing culture. Understanding ASL means also understanding the cultural context in which it is used, including gestures, facial expressions, and social norms.

Comparing ASL and English Language Features

ASL uses handshapes, movements, and facial expressions to convey meaning, unlike spoken English which uses sounds. ASL has classifiers and concepts that represent objects and actions visually. English relies on word order and sounds. Comparing these features helps students see how language structure reflects culture and communication needs.

Cultural Expressions and Communication Styles

Cultural expressions include greetings, gestures, and ways of showing respect. For example, Deaf culture may use direct eye contact and specific signing space, while hearing culture may use spoken greetings and different body language. Recognizing these differences helps students appreciate how culture shapes language use and communication.

Practical Application: Using ASL to Express Cultural Comparisons

Students practice signing phrases that compare their own culture with American Deaf culture. They describe similarities and differences in customs, communication, and values. This activity reinforces understanding of how language and culture influence each other and builds expressive skills in ASL.

Worked Examples

Classroom Activity

Participate in the discussion by sharing examples from their own culture and listening to others. Help fill in the comparison chart with teacher guidance.

Guided Practice

Independent Practice

1. Foundational: What is one way that American Sign Language (ASL) is different from spoken English?
2. Developing: Name one cultural expression unique to American Deaf culture that influences how ASL is used.
3. Application: Describe how your own culture influences the way you communicate compared to ASL and Deaf culture.
4. Analysis: Compare how language structure in ASL and English reflects the cultural values of their users.
5. Challenge: Explain how understanding the influence between ASL and American Deaf culture can improve communication between Deaf and hearing communities.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

1. 1. ASL uses hand signs and facial expressions to communicate, while spoken English uses sounds and words.
2. 2. Direct eye contact is a cultural expression in Deaf culture that influences ASL communication.
3. 3. My culture uses spoken words and gestures like handshakes or bows to greet people, while ASL and Deaf culture use visual signs and specific gestures like signing space and facial expressions.
4. 4. ASL's visual grammar and use of space reflect Deaf culture's emphasis on visual communication and community, while English's spoken structure reflects hearing culture's reliance on sound and sequential word order.
5. 5. Understanding how ASL and Deaf culture influence each other helps hearing people appreciate the importance of visual communication and cultural norms, leading to more respectful and effective interactions between Deaf and hearing individuals.

Guiding Questions

• How does ASL reflect the culture of the Deaf community?
• In what ways can languages borrow from each other?
• Why is it important to respect cultural differences when learning a language?
• How can understanding another culture improve communication?
• What are some examples of cultural expressions unique to your own culture and to Deaf culture?

Common Misconceptions

• ASL is just English signed word-for-word; in reality, ASL has its own grammar and cultural context.
• Deaf culture is the same as hearing culture except for the use of sign language; Deaf culture has unique values and social norms.
• Language influence only happens when one language replaces another; influence can be mutual and subtle in expressions and customs.

Differentiation

Assessment

• Observe student participation in discussions and activities.
• Review comparison charts for understanding of cultural and language influence.
• Listen to student explanations during presentations for clarity and accuracy.
• Students write or sign one example of how ASL and American Deaf culture influence or are influenced by another language or culture.
• Assign a project where students research and present on a language and culture influence case study involving ASL or another language.

Answer Guide

• What is one way that American Sign Language (ASL) is different from spoken English?
  Answer: ASL uses hand signs and facial expressions to communicate, while spoken English uses sounds and words.
• Name one cultural expression unique to American Deaf culture that influences how ASL is used.
  Answer: Direct eye contact is a cultural expression in Deaf culture that influences ASL communication.
• Describe how your own culture influences the way you communicate compared to ASL and Deaf culture.
  Answer: My culture uses spoken words and gestures like handshakes or bows to greet people, while ASL and Deaf culture use visual signs and specific gestures like signing space and facial expressions.
• Compare how language structure in ASL and English reflects the cultural values of their users.
  Answer: ASL's visual grammar and use of space reflect Deaf culture's emphasis on visual communication and community, while English's spoken structure reflects hearing culture's reliance on sound and sequential word order.
• Explain how understanding the influence between ASL and American Deaf culture can improve communication between Deaf and hearing communities.
  Answer: Understanding how ASL and Deaf culture influence each other helps hearing people appreciate the importance of visual communication and cultural norms, leading to more respectful and effective interactions between Deaf and hearing individuals.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to discuss with family members how their own culture influences communication at home and compare this with what they learned about ASL and Deaf culture.

Homework or Home Connection

• Encourage students to discuss with family members how their own culture influences communication at home and compare this with what they learned about ASL and Deaf culture.

Lesson Summary

This lesson explored how language and culture influence each other by comparing American Sign Language and American Deaf culture with students' own language and culture. Students learned that language structure, communication styles, and cultural expressions reflect and shape cultural values. Understanding these influences helps improve communication and respect between different cultural communities.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

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