A Grammar of Turkish Sign Language (TİD)

Shared experiences among individuals create shared values and practices that maintain communication networks of values and people. Since there has been a continuous interaction among the Deaf community in Turkey for over a century in Deaf schools and organisations, it is most natural that Deaf signers as a linguistic minority group have specific values that are different from the hearing majority.

Cultural values and traditions

Deaf community members, deaf individuals or hearing members of the deaf community, have both a signed and a spoken name. The spoken name is given by the parents, which is not different from the naming custom in hearing individuals. Every individual has also a sign name (the word in TİD is homophonous with SIGN; in Turkish lakap ‘nickname’ as translated by CODAs). The sign name usually refers to a salient visual feature in the face or head (such as pointing to a birth scar) or a typical gesture made by that person. When two members of the community meet each other for the first time they do not immediately introduce themselves, rather, exchanging of the names happens at the end of the conversation if further communication is anticipated. Moreover, it seems that changing one’s sign name is relatively more acceptable in the Deaf community than in the hearing community.

For drawing the attention of a signer, one waves their hand or hits forcefully on the ground or on a table. One could also ask a third party to draw the attention of the person. When there is a big group of signers, one holds up hands and wiggles (which is the same sign for applause). Then, the other members of the group do the same until everyone stops signing and focuses their attention on the person. Another way to get attention is to switch the lights on and off a few times, when available. Breaking eye-contact is considered rude during conversation.

Cultural Activities

Across Turkey there are approximately 55 Deaf associations. The bulk of cultural activities in the Deaf community (theatre, folklore dancing, photography, storytelling, cinema) are carried out in Deaf associations which are run by Deaf individuals and a few CODAs. Moreover, deaf clubs organize occupational training such as tailoring, cookery, hairdressing, electricity, and wood painting.

Sports is a prominent aspect of the social life in the Deaf community. As of 2010, Turkey National Sports Federation of the Deaf (Türkiye İşitme Engelliler Spor Federasyonu) was active in 14 branches: soccer, basketball, volleyball, handball, table tennis, chess, wrestling, skiing, swimming, athletism, bowling, badminton, folklore, and tennis. There are leagues with local teams in Turkey, and national teams who actively attend the World-Wide sports activities such as Deaflympics.

The majority of Deaf associations are connected to Turkey National Federation of the Deaf (Türkiye İşitme Engelliler Milli Federasyonu) that is recognized by the state. Two other opponent federations exist. In addition, there is The Confederation of the Deaf (Sağırlar Konfederasyonu - turkdeafconf.com) which has three other federations under its umbrella.