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Community Quote by Oliver Sacks

“I had never thought about what it might mean to be deaf, to be deprived of language, or to have a remarkable language (and community and culture) of one’s own. Up to this point, I had mostly thought and written about the problems of individuals–here I was to encounter an entire community.” quote by Oliver Sacks
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“I had never thought about what it might mean to be deaf, to be deprived of language, or to have a remarkable language (and community and culture) of one’s own. Up to this point, I had mostly thought and written about the problems of individuals–here I was to encounter an entire community.”

Oliver Sacks

About This Quote

Source Interview: The New Yorker, 1998

Understanding deafness reveals a distinct culture and language, showing that disability can create unique communities.

In simple terms: Deafness forms its own culture and language.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and respect diverse communication worlds.

Themes

disability culture language identity

Mood

empathetic inquisitive

Type

cultural educational

When to use this quote

  • education
  • policy making
  • community building

Key Concepts

social anthropology linguistics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What can we learn from deaf culture about communication?
  • How does language shape community identity?
A Different Perspective

Assuming deafness is only a loss overlooks its richness.

2.7 out of 5 (9 ratings)

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