| Deaf humor is an important part of
ASL literature. Deaf humor is culturally based because in their
jokes the Deaf person is the protagonist and somtimes the jokes are at
the expense of hearing people. The Deaf person comes out on top
because of his or her deafness. According to Dr. Bill Vicars
(lifeprint.com) "Yes,
Deaf humor makes fun of hearing people. But there is a
difference, we are talking about a culturally oppressed group finding
amusement and
success in the very condition that the dominant culture pities us
for. Deaf humor isn't against hearing people, it is just in
support of Deaf Culture!" Deaf
humor is understood and appreciated if the listener has knowledge of
the culture.
Linguistic
based humor can be expressed through American Sign Language
just like it can in English.
English JokesListen to the spoken English jokes
below which are humorous because of
their "play on words."
Deaf JokeNow watch the clip of a well-known Deaf
joke called, "King Kong."
This joke is funny because of the use of the sign MARRY.
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