Resonating between two cultures: Experiences of children of deaf adults (CODAs) in family, education and society contexts

Savaş Berk; Davut Açar

Article Details

Resonating between two cultures: Experiences of children of deaf adults (CODAs) in family, education and society contexts

Authors:

Savaş Berk | Davut Açar

Publisher:

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University

Main Topics:

İşitme Engelli Eğitimi | Özel Eğitim ve Engelli Eğitimi (Diğer)

Journal:

Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi Issue 75, pp.21-37

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355947

pISSN:

2146-5983

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Hearing children of adults with hearing impairment, defined as CODA Children of Deaf Adults, are in a unique position at the intersection between hearing and non-hearing communities. This study aimed to examine and analyze CODAs family, educational and community experiences. In the study using the phenomenological approach, one of the qualitative research designs, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 CODAs living in different cities of Turkey. The research focused on participants learning sign language at an early age and developing a bicultural identity. Childrens role as a bridge between the hearing and hearing-impaired worlds has an important place in their social and educational lives. CODAs communication with their parents and their linguistic abilities have enabled them to both become a part of the deaf community and interact with the hearing community. Participants stated that they had an enriched life experience thanks to bilingualism and cultural diversity between sign language and Turkish. Moreover, it has been observed that having children of hearing-impaired parents contributes to the development of empathy skills and strengthening social communication skills. In order to reflect the situation of CODAs, information about the cultural awareness of hearing impairment and communication problems can be provided to those working with families with parents with hearing impairment.

 Hearing children of adults with hearing impairment, defined as CODA Children of Deaf Adults, are in a unique position at the intersection between hearing and non-hearing communities. This study aimed to examine and analyze CODAs family, educational and community experiences. In the study using the phenomenological approach, one of the qualitative research designs, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 CODAs living in different cities of Turkey. The research focused on participants learning sign language at an early age and developing a bicultural identity. Childrens role as a bridge between the hearing and hearing-impaired worlds has an important place in their social and educational lives. CODAs communication with their parents and their linguistic abilities have enabled them to both become a part of the deaf community and interact with the hearing community. Participants stated that they had an enriched life experience thanks to bilingualism and cultural diversity between sign language and Turkish. Moreover, it has been observed that having children of hearing-impaired parents contributes to the development of empathy skills and strengthening social communication skills. In order to reflect the situation of CODAs, information about the cultural awareness of hearing impairment and communication problems can be provided to those working with families with parents with hearing impairment.

 Hearing children of adults with hearing impairment, defined as CODA Children of Deaf Adults, are in a unique position at the intersection between hearing and non-hearing communities. This study aimed to examine and analyze CODAs family, educational and community experiences. In the study using the phenomenological approach, one of the qualitative research designs, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 CODAs living in different cities of Turkey. The research focused on participants learning sign language at an early age and developing a bicultural identity. Childrens role as a bridge between the hearing and hearing-impaired worlds has an important place in their social and educational lives. CODAs communication with their parents and their linguistic abilities have enabled them to both become a part of the deaf community and interact with the hearing community. Participants stated that they had an enriched life experience thanks to bilingualism and cultural diversity between sign language and Turkish. Moreover, it has been observed that having children of hearing-impaired parents contributes to the development of empathy skills and strengthening social communication skills. In order to reflect the situation of CODAs, information about the cultural awareness of hearing impairment and communication problems can be provided to those working with families with parents with hearing impairment.

 CODA Children of Deaf Adults olarak tanımlanan işitme yetersizliğine sahip yetişkinlerin işiten çocukları, işiten ve işitmeyen topluluklar arasındaki kesişme noktasında benzersiz bir konuma sahiptir. Bu çalışmada CODAların aile, eğitim ve toplum deneyimlerinin incelenmesi ve analiz edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Nitel araştırma desenlerinden fenomenolojik yaklaşımın kullanıldığı çalışmada, Türkiyenin farklı şehirlerinde yaşayan 16 CODA ile yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma, katılımcıların işaret dilini erken yaşta öğrenmeleri ve iki kültürlü bir kimlik geliştirmeleri üzerine odaklanmıştır. Çocukların, işiten ve işitme yetersizliğine sahip dünyalar arasındaki köprü olma rolü, onların sosyal ve eğitim hayatlarında önemli bir yer tutmuştur. CODAların ebeveynleri ile olan iletişimleri ve dilsel yetenekleri, hem işitme yetersizliği olan topluluğun bir parçası olmalarını hem de işiten toplumla etkileşimde bulunmalarını sağlamıştır. Katılımcılar, işaret dili ve Türkçe arasında çift dillilik ve kültürel çeşitlilik sayesinde zenginleşmiş bir hayat deneyimi yaşadıklarını belirtmiştir. Ayrıca, işitme yetersizliğine sahip ebeveynlerin çocukları olmanın, empati yeteneğinin gelişimine ve sosyal iletişim becerilerinde güçlenmeye katkıda bulunduğu görülmüştür. CODAların mevcut durumunun yansıtılabilmesi için işitme yetersizliği olan ebeveynleri olan ailelerle çalışan çevrelere işitme yetersizliğinin kültürel farkındalığı ve iletişim sorunları hakkında bilgilendirmeler yapılabilir.

Article Details

Resonating between two cultures: Experiences of children of deaf adults (CODAs) in family, education and society contexts

Authors:

Savaş Berk | Davut Açar

Publisher:

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University

Main Topics:

İşitme Engelli Eğitimi | Özel Eğitim ve Engelli Eğitimi (Diğer)

Journal:

Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi Issue 75, pp.21-37

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355947

pISSN:

2146-5983

CODA

Hearing Impairment

FamilyCODA

İşitme yetersizliği

aile

Issues

Article Details

Resonating between two cultures: Experiences of children of deaf adults (CODAs) in family, education and society contexts

Authors: Savaş Berk | Davut Açar

Publisher: Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University

Main Topics: İşitme Engelli Eğitimi | Özel Eğitim ve Engelli Eğitimi (Diğer)

Journal: Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi Issue 75, pp.21-37

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 7/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001355947

pISSN: 2146-5983

CODA

Hearing Impairment

FamilyCODA

İşitme yetersizliği

aile

Issues

Authors:

Savaş Berk | Davut Açar

Publisher:

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University

Main Topics:

İşitme Engelli Eğitimi | Özel Eğitim ve Engelli Eğitimi (Diğer)

Journal:

Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi Issue 75, pp.21-37

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355947

pISSN:

2146-5983