The storytellers are old and young, and their lives reflect the diversity and commonality of Deaf experience. The pain acknowledged by a generation brought up forbidden to sign contrasts with the confidence of young people using New Zealand Sign Language as they assert ‘Deaf Pride’. Children growing up in Deaf families talk of their identity quite differently from those in hearing families. There is joy and sadness, confusion and resolution, regret and optimism.

Several generations of Deaf voices speak here of their experience in the wider context of New Zealand life: they echo the research and new political consciousness that identifies the Deaf as a cultural-linguistic community. And their words hold a mirror to mainstream society’s ill-informed perceptions of being Deaf.

Central to this book, however, is a statement about the value of communication – within and beyond the Deaf community.

Photographs by Bruce Connew.

Reprint under consideration.

Endorsements                                              

Selected by the judges of the international Kiriyama Prize as one of the significant books of 2001.

'A wonderful celebration of the world of the deaf … greatly enhanced by magnificent photographs by Bruce Connew.' Waikato Times

'This fascinating book provides insights into a community about which most people are unaware.' The Evening Post

Contents                                                       

List of illustrations 
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
Themes in Deaf experience
The stories 
      Kathleen French
      Patty Still
      Daniel Breech and Beth Titter 
      Mel
      Susan Hamilton
      Cheryl Anton
      Douglas Croskery
      Lynne Smith
      Perry Meets the Law
      Paul Buzzard
      Della Buzzard
      Patrick Wikiriwhi Thompson (Te Wikiriwhi Pokaitara)
      Alistair Appleby 
      Angela Sew Hoy
      John
      Sara Pivac
List of terms
Select bibliography