The Deaf Mobility Shift
Annelies Kusters
In the wide-ranging mosaic of deaf international mobilities, we, the MobileDeaf project researchers, have studied deaf experiences in countries both familiar and unfamiliar to us. We have examined vibrant deaf spaces and networks that deaf people produce, inhabit, and navigate across local, national, and international scales. We have analyzed the parallel dynamics of mobility and immobility, recognizing the complexity of deaf people’s experiences that range from hypermobile journeys to the nuanced aspects of being “stuck.” It is now time to reflect on the profound implications of this project.
Deaf mobilities, translocality, and cosmopolitanism are not mere theoretical constructs. They are phenomena that pulse with life, resonating in real places and contexts, shaping the lives of deaf people, and not only forming but also maintaining, transforming, and continually reshaping deaf networks. Exploring these phenomena, the chapters of this book have revealed the various ambitions underlying international connections, the opportunities that flexible language use brings, the multifaceted spaces of belonging, and the complex interplay between mobility and immobility.
Herein lies a deeper recognition: The study of deaf mobilities is both a mirror and a window. It mirrors the aspirations, struggles, and triumphs of deaf people, reflecting complex patterns of connections, identity, and exchange. At the same time, it opens a window into the broader human condition of mobility, providing insights into the ways we connect, move, and find our place in the world.
Next, we reflect on several key aspects of our study: the lessons learned from treating deaf cosmopolitanism as a challenge; the conceptual tools, or “coffer,” that guided our inquiry; the implications of deafening Mobility Studies; the essential teamwork that enabled the success of this project; and the current and anticipated societal impact of the MobileDeaf project.
On Deaf Cosmopolitanism as a Challenge
The pursuit of deaf cosmopolitanism invites us into a meaningful conversation about identity, community, privilege, and connection in a world evermore intertwined. As we have explored throughout the preceding chapters, the study of deaf mobilities both illuminates and challenges our understanding of what it means to belong in, to engage with, to understand, and to navigate a landscape rich in diversity but fraught with disparities.
The allure of deaf cosmopolitanism is compelling, sketching a vision where deaf individuals rise above national borders, forging a collective identity that unites them as global citizens. This imagined unity is made possible by the unique linguistic features inherent in signed languages, allowing deaf signers to cross international boundaries and connect with one another fluidly. However, this book has delved into the complicated and ambivalent nature of deaf cosmopolitanism, showing that it is not simple or straightforward. Instead, it reveals itself to be a challenging pursuit that is shaped and conditioned by various socioeconomic, political, and cultural elements. Key among these are language knowledges and both existing and emerging connections, which serve as pivotal factors in paving the way for engagement with this global perspective.
Deaf cosmopolitanism represents an intentional endeavor that both relies on and produces particular opportunities and affordances. However, while easy exposure to diverse nations can foster a cosmopolitan mindset, the assumption that political stability and economic prosperity are essential prerequisites has been questioned and complicated by the realities of migration, refugees’ experiences, and travel restrictions. These factors underscore that the attainment of deaf cosmopolitanism is neither automatic nor uniformly accessible, but rather a nuanced process that must be actively, collaboratively, and thoughtfully pursued.
Examining the practices that underpin deaf cosmopolitanism, we discovered a multifaceted landscape filled with a rich array of engagements, arrangements, and interactions. From international travel to hosting others, searching for advice, exchanging souvenirs, sharing stories, adapting to new language environments, and supporting local deaf businesses, these practices weave a complex matrix of connections.
Deaf cosmopolitanism is a journey that requires specific dispositions such as open-mindedness, empathy, and curiosity. These traits are vital for cultivating a cosmopolitan worldview, guiding people as they navigate diverse countries, cultures, and languages. Engaging with global media, participating in metalinguistic and intercultural discussions, and adjusting to various new environments play essential roles in deaf cosmopolitanism, although they also contain limitations and invite criticisms. This dynamic reveals that deaf cosmopolitanism is not static but is a complex aspiration filled with contradictions. It challenges us to recognize that cosmopolitanism can be a path to enlightenment and growth in one context, while in another, or even for the same individual in different situations, it may be a path forged by necessity and struggle. This nuanced perspective invites us to engage, question, and reflect, and it emphasizes the multidimensional experiences and motivations that shape an individual’s relationship with a cosmopolitan mindset.
On Our Conceptual Coffer
The trajectory of the MobileDeaf project from inception to completion has been a journey marked by theoretical discovery and innovation. In ethnographic projects, it is customary to start with broad theoretical orientations, refining them after data analysis. The project team soon realized that our initial main concepts, translanguaging and intersectionality, were too broad for the insights sought. Through continuous collaboration, research, and reflection, the team’s conceptual approach became more refined and specific, giving way to a nuanced exploration of the dynamics and varied experiences of deaf mobilities. The evolution of this project brought about a harmonious interplay between various disciplines, including Cultural Studies, Anthropology, Geography, and International Development.
More specifically, throughout this study, we assembled a toolkit of concepts, such as “networks,” “translocality,” “belonging,” “calibration,” and “immobility,” providing us with the necessary lenses to comprehend the complex dynamics at play in the challenge that is deaf cosmopolitanism. This toolkit emerged organically from our engagement with the data, as we combined our reading with our scrutiny of the empirical evidence. These concepts were invaluable in capturing the complexities and nuances that shaped the processes we studied, helping us navigate the diverse landscapes of deaf mobilities with clarity and depth. By transcending disciplinary boundaries, the project unearthed unique insights into the subject, not only engaging with the original research questions but also expanding the horizons of Deaf Studies itself.
Looking for networks that transcended traditional confines like deaf clubs and schools, we illuminated the experiences of deaf individuals as they navigate an expansive world of interconnections and convergences. Our explorations captured deaf networks as webs flowing across international and local boundaries. They pulsate with the convergence of people and ideas that is core to cosmopolitanism. These dynamic and reactive organisms require nurturing and may crumble under neglect and power differences, revealing both the resilience and fluidity of deaf communities and connections amid change.
In our examination of translocality, we paid attention to the intertwining of real places with enduring or fleeting connections. In the practice of cosmopolitanism, even temporary locales gain international significance as they host international deaf spaces, and through the lens of translocality, individual experiences become part of collective memories, connecting different locations and people circulating within them.
Language has been a fascinating area of exploration in deaf mobilities. It moves with people, who expand their repertoires on the go. Comparisons of single signs in international encounters become markers of connection, although they may also breed othering, misunderstanding, or discrimination. Calibration, as a practice of adapting and aligning with others, is at once inclusive and discerning, delicate, and sometimes fraught with tensions. We gleaned insights into the spectrum of language practices among deaf communities—a testament to their resilience and adaptability in the face of linguistic barriers.
Within a range of contexts, we have witnessed the use of languages that are seen as “local,” “national,” and “global”; we have emphasized in particular the use of global but adaptive lingua franca, such as International Sign, American Sign Language, and English. Our exploration has included attention to the patterns of language learning and usage across various contexts, particularly amid the complexities of migration. In the diverse scenarios found within our subprojects, expectations and attitudes hold the potential to foster xenophobia or discriminatory labeling, offering insights into the multifaceted dynamics of language and power. The experiences of mobile deaf people have laid bare enduring patterns of language imperialism, while the echoes of (post)colonial histories continue to shape contemporary interactions.
Within this mosaic of observations, the challenge of deaf cosmopolitanism remains a unifying theme. Calibration serves as the quintessential embodiment of this challenge and underscores the interplay of curiosity, shaming, and the cognitive and emotional workload involved in communication.
Mobile deaf people’s search for spaces to belong encompasses a complex assemblage of culture, identity, and shared spaces; from pubs to homes to the Deaflympics, from shared deafness to intersecting identities, there is a translocal quest for connection that transcends mere geography. It is both a quest and a negotiation, marked by transient encounters and deeper bonds. Whether identifying with hearing compatriots or finding deaf pockets within multicultural spaces, deaf people’s paths to belonging are polymorphous and interwoven with issues of colorism, racism, ableism, xenophobia, and more. These paths illuminate the varied meanings of “home” and “family,” demonstrating how notions of “identity” and “community” may fall short in capturing the full spectrum of deaf experiences.
Finally, the interplay between mobility and immobility adds a layer of complexity that enriches our understanding. Deaf individuals’ experiences are situated on a continuum where mobility and immobility are intertwined, contingent on myriad factors such as life stages, financial resources, and external policies. The means by which deaf people accumulate social, cultural, linguistic, and economic capital are pervasively influenced by societal structures and policies; the capital we access and develop not only impacts our mobility but may also be expanded through these movements.
Immobility, far from being a mere constraint, may translate into agency, inspiration, and a window into others’ cosmopolitan attitudes. It is a relative condition, where people’s mobilities and immobilities facilitate and reflect one another. A person can be both expansive and confined, navigating the fluctuations of life with agility, agency, and insight. Immobility as experience recognizes boundaries without being bound by them.
Our conceptual coffer has made it possible to produce invaluable insights and to paint a vivid portrait of the variable shapes and effects of deaf mobilities. By engaging with diverse concepts and uncovering a realm of new data and insights, this exploration has not only expanded Deaf Studies but has also extended its impact to the broader field of Mobility Studies.
On Deafening Mobility Studies
In the web of human connectivity, deaf mobilities occupy an extraordinary nexus, intertwining layers of complexity that redefine a broader understanding of space, language, belonging, and (im)mobility. Studying deaf mobilities is more than studying deaf people’s movements from one place to another; it is an exploration of life’s constraints and possibilities. As we continue to explore this field of study, its nuances and intricacies reveal new paths for understanding not only deaf connectivity but human interaction at large.
Deafening Mobility Studies is not simply an act of incorporating Deaf Studies into Mobility Studies; in essence, it is a reevaluation of how we perceive and analyze mobility. The process of “deafening” Mobility Studies is evocative of transformative movements such as queering and cripping, which challenge norms and unveil new avenues for exploration and comprehension. Beyond just a theoretical perspective, deafening Mobility Studies stands as a potent catalyst for change. It enriches the field of Mobility Studies with complexity, nuance, and depth, reframing our understanding of what mobility signifies.
Deaf individuals, navigating through diverse and often inaccessible environments, cultivate a unique form of connection, community, and mobility. Therefore, deafening is a transgressive force, capable of reshaping multiple fields by “muting” their inherent reliance on spoken languages. In essence, deafening Mobility Studies elevates the discourse by interweaving visual language perspectives as well as the study of spoken languages in both their written and spoken forms. By unraveling deaf signers’ unique ability to connect across diverse linguistic landscapes, deafening Mobility Studies adds rich dimensions to our understanding of global interconnectedness.
However, the intention of deafening Mobility Studies is not only to expose normativity and undermine the supremacy of spoken languages in the field, but also to direct attention toward the specificities of the intertwining of disability and language. Concepts like the “small world” theory of deaf social networks and the worldwide notion of “DEAF-SAME” as connecting deaf individuals across different spaces and geographies have relevance to mobility. These concepts reflect the central role of mobility in the deaf experience of being scattered but (sooner or later) connected through attending deaf schools, seeking out deaf network nodes, and/or international travel.
Through our particular focus on the interconnectedness of calibration and cosmopolitanism, deaf(ened) Mobility Studies illuminates associations between multimodality, networking, disability, and belonging. Rather than elevating deaf interactions, we recognize both their specificity and their universality. The experiences of deaf individuals raise essential questions about language and embodiment in Mobility Studies.
On Deaf Research Teamwork
Expanding Deaf Studies and deafening Mobility Studies required concerted teamwork. This project stands as an exemplar of the transformative power of collaboration, illustrating how diverse perspectives enrich not only the specific field of study but also foster interdisciplinary connections. This is evident not only in our utilization of a variety of conceptual frameworks, and in the fresh insights contributed to Mobility Studies, but also within the project’s intuitive methodological approaches.
Our aspiration to foreground or pioneer certain methodological practices within Deaf Studies marked a significant advancement, enhancing the field substantially. Our team leveraged ethnographic, autoethnographic, visual, and filmmaking techniques, challenging the traditional reliance on confined methods such as interviews and surveys. This shift allowed for more nuanced and deep exploration of the multifaceted realities of deaf communities, spaces, and networks.
Our methodological approach also contributed to fostering greater collective self-determination and inclusivity in academia by empowering deaf researchers to explore methodological approaches that are best suited for themselves and their participants. The synthesis of theoretical and practical shifts signifies a milestone, paving the way for future interdisciplinary efforts.
The mentoring within our all-deaf team amplified the project’s success. Mentorship was multidirectional and encompassed personal development, research skills, intellectual challenge, and collegial nurturing. We recognize the uniqueness and privilege of this experience, and we are actively invested in supporting other deaf scholars to have similar experiences. Our approach to this has included hosting research methods workshops, offering hands-on exploration of various methodologies, and contributing to “deaf academic space” in general. The sense of community and empowerment cultivated within this environment has created ripple effects, influencing deaf academic exploration worldwide and nurturing creativity and intellectual curiosity.
Our contributions to deaf academic space attest to the MobileDeaf project’s lasting impact and the transformative potential of mentorship, teamwork, and innovation. From inception to completion, the project illuminated the dialectical nature of deafened Mobility Studies by also incorporating and expanding our own experiences as deaf mobile people in both academic and personal contexts. The result is a rich account of perspectives woven together through our collaboration, underscoring the uniqueness of this endeavor and pointing toward a promising future for intuitive and collaborative research.
On Impact
Coming to the end of the MobileDeaf project, our intention to shift toward a greater focus on impact has been a meaningful evolution in our approach. Recognized forms of impact resulting from research include the application of research in policy making, shifts in attitudes, changes in community self-definition, utilization in teaching and training, and advisory services. However, the European Research Council Starting Grant that funded the MobileDeaf project emphasizes scientific and theoretical innovation, and it did not initially require societal impact to be built into the design of the project. This has posed challenges given the expectations of our audiences.
The call for actionable outcomes for research projects concerning deaf people has long resonated within deaf communities, which are often overresearched but seldom engaged with the findings. A prevailing ideology within deaf communities is that every research project should lead to change and empowerment. Many researchers have felt compelled to contribute to the deaf communities they have researched, be it through improving access, advocacy, translation, fundraising, development work, or documenting endangered sign languages. Unsurprisingly, questions regarding the impact of our work have arisen, both within the MobileDeaf team and from colleagues and onlookers.
These inquiries have fueled reflective and impassioned discussions within our team, particularly concerning our positionalities. The delicate balance of accessing deaf perspectives while avoiding the pitfalls of historical exploitation has been a continuous challenge. Our ongoing dialogues have sharpened our understanding of privilege, leading us to question language use and power dynamics within our work. As we conclude the project, we strive to bring our research to various audiences in diverse formats.
The MobileDeaf project exemplifies that impactful applications can be planned during later stages without violating ethical norms. Our work serves to highlight the importance of thoughtful planning and sustainable development, avoiding hasty attempts to “help” that may inadvertently cause harm. We have made strides toward impact through disseminating the MobileDeaf films and through blogs and publications; these have prompted considerable discussion and have influenced thinking, teaching, and advocacy. Collaborations, advisory roles, and our research findings have been leveraged by various bodies.
As our project reaches its conclusion, we recognize additional opportunities for utilizing our research, including creating resources for educators and advocates to enhance international deaf communication. Our purpose is for the MobileDeaf project’s legacy to linger through its influence on thought, policy, education, and the enduring dialogue it has fostered within deaf communities.
In conclusion, we carry forward the lessons, reflections, and aspirations that have shaped the MobileDeaf project, trusting that they will continue to inspire, guide, challenge, and ripple through the field of Deaf Studies and beyond. The results of our collective inquiry, the complexities it has wrestled with, and the tangible transformations it has fostered stand as a tribute to the very essence of meaningful scholarship within Deaf Studies.