Hearing Offspring as Visual Language Mediators in Deaf-Parented Families

Visual language mediation by hearing offspring was studied in deaf-parented families as part of a larger program of cross-sectional descriptive research into aspects of deaf parents’ child rearing performance. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 profoundly deaf adults and the oldest hearing school-aged offspring in the home. All parents were fluent signers, deaf from early childhood. Interview videotapes were transcribed and spontaneous utterances categorized by theme. Results indicated that visual language mediation by the oldest hearing child in the home was welcomed and encouraged in all but one family. Frequency of language mediation tasks increased with age and signing competence of offspring. Language–mediation situations were considered in terms of participants, content, and mediation strategy. Parent and child views of the “interpreter” role raised issues related to offspring’s language–mediation responsibilities and perceived parental dependence. Implications for professionals serving deaf–parented families are offered. Elements of the language–mediation event are schematized to facilitate future causal–comparative study.