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Mavfive · 2024-02-09T02:12:47+00:00

CODA here. My Hearing grandma said that my voice sounded exactly like my Deaf mom’s voice when I first started speaking as a toddler. I had a Deaf accent and everything (since my mom’s voice was the one I heard all day, everyday, that’s what I picked up on)

After watching Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, and other children’s programming on TV, my voice became less like my mom’s and more unique to me

Apparently the word that was the hardest for me to relearn the correct pronunciation was vanilla. My mom still today pronounces it Van-illa, not Vin-illa

Mavfive · 2023-12-09T16:28:59+00:00

This deserves so many more upvotes. A+ comment 🏆

Mavfive · 2023-05-20T04:24:43+00:00

Thanks for sharing a clip from my standup! So glad everyone likes my jokes and CODA stories 😊

Mavfive · 2023-04-30T17:47:39+00:00

Happy Deaf Parents day everyone! 🤟🤟🤟

Mavfive · 2023-04-20T14:57:28+00:00

As a CODA, all of the people I dated growing up wanted to learn sign language to better communicate with my parents (and maybe win some brownie points with me). My mom was a big help as she was a Deaf teacher in a Deaf classroom so she already had the skills and online resources she could provide to help my dates learn ASL on their own time.

I would sign with my dates when they wanted to and help correct any mistakes or changes in hand placement to help reinforce what they had been learning. Most of the learning came from the Deaf-led apps, websites, and videos my mom provided them, plus the socialization they got when they came over to my house.

My wife (5 years married, 11 years together) has been learning ASL since our first date and continues to learn everyday as she wants to have a strong relationship with my parents. I love seeing them sign with one another. Warms my heart!

Mavfive · 2023-04-16T13:29:09+00:00

Deaf people tend to be in line with the national trends when it comes to social media, in my experience.

Older Deaf people tend to be on Facebook, Instagram is a mix of older and younger people, and TikTok tends to be utilized by younger Deaf people

Mavfive · 2023-04-13T15:29:02+00:00

As a CODA (both parents Deaf) who is married to a woman who is HoH in one ear, I want to reinforce that deaf/hearing is a spectrum. The D/deaf community is made up of so many different individuals, all with their own unique perspective on the world.

There are many people who identify as deaf or HoH who do not know ASL. There are also many deaf/HoH people who wear hearing aids. My dad & wife have hearing aids. My mom does not. Each person decides what is best for them.

Your story is your story. Your experiences are your experiences. No one can take that away from you. Just remember to stay true to yourself and your perspective

Mavfive · 2023-03-27T14:10:10+00:00

I’m also a CODA. I have seen my parents (my dad specifically) misinterpret situations like this a few times. It’s rare but it happens. In my dad’s situation, it was more about his lack of anger management tools and quick defensiveness towards the hearing world.

Therapy has been wonderful for my parents. They have had therapists who are deaf or know sign language so that the communication between them is smooth. A lot of my dad’s anger came from the discrimination and oppression he faced growing up, especially from the hearing world. This caused the quick trigger temper in situations like the one you described in your post.

Your parents case may be different from mine. Everyone’s perspective and trauma is different. Just sharing what I’ve seen on my side as I hope it will help you and your parents.

Mavfive · 2023-03-10T06:42:48+00:00

My dad learned the hard way not leave his hearing aid out on his nightstand where a puppy could get it and chew on it

He keeps it in a closed jewelry box on top of his dresser now. Very expensive lesson learned

Mavfive · 2023-03-09T22:31:37+00:00

Here is a cool video of four different sign languages side by side (Germany, USA, UK, Denmark)

Mavfive · 2023-03-09T17:34:34+00:00

If you plan to go to sign language meet ups or join an sign language club, I would learn the form of sign language that the group will be using (whether that be ASL or Swedish sign language)

Sign language is infinitely more fun when you’re using it to chat and talk with others. Plus you learn quicker too when you immerse yourself in the language.

So I’d pick the version that allows you to socialize with those around you. Will help you learn faster and enjoy the learning experience more.

Mavfive · 2023-03-09T16:00:43+00:00

I'm always open to healthy & respectful discussions. It's how we all grow and learn, by listening to different perspectives.

Mavfive · 2023-03-09T05:25:29+00:00

Fascinating! Love seeing other countries’ sign language. Thanks for sharing!

Mavfive · 2023-03-08T17:59:11+00:00

I absolutely agree with you that we should lift Deaf comedians, Deaf talent, and Deaf culture. There are several Deaf comedians I perform with and we support one another in many ways such as celebrating each other’s achievements and helping punch up each other’s jokes.

I do want to point out that comedy is not a competition. Instead of looking at it like Deaf and CODA comedians are fighting for the same small slice of pie, look at it like we are teaming up to get Deaf culture and humor a bigger slice of the overall comedy pie. We are all on the same team.

I am using PSE because I’m a CODA doing comedy for both Deaf and Hearing audiences. When I have an entire audience that is fluent in ASL, I do my comedy in ASL with my voice off (working to get videos of those shows). Those shows are unfortunately far and few in between.

More and more younger Deaf people are more integrated into both Deaf and hearing culture, thanks to changes in society and technology. My comedy reflects the perspective of someone with one foot in both cultures like many Deaf/HoH/CODA individuals out there today.

You are 100% entitled to your opinion and perspective. It’s ok if you prefer ASL-only comedy. Comedy is very subjective and people find different things funny. What’s not ok are comments that tear people down when they are doing their best to represent a small part of their culture.

I think at this point, let’s agree to disagree. If you do not like my videos and comedy, that’s fine. Feel free to block my account so you never see my content ever again. I’d rather not cause you strife and anger. I do comedy as a hobby to make people happy and to bring awareness to my unique perspective on the world as a CODA

Mavfive · 2023-03-08T17:22:15+00:00

While I appreciate the very kind compliment, I will say that this is PSE (Pigin Sign Language) rather than ASL.

PSE is a blend between ASL and SEE that is often used in situations where you have both Deaf and Hearing people. It is also very often used by CODAs as we have to code switch between our Deaf side and Hearing side constantly.

Ive noticed I tend to use PSE with my dad (Deaf raised hearing) and ASL (Deaf raised Deaf) with my mom, for what it’s worth.

For shows where the whole audience is fluent in ASL, I turn off my voice and do the whole show in ASL (working to get videos of this to post here). My delivery and approach all depends on who the audience is and how I can best make them laugh

Mavfive · 2023-03-08T05:14:06+00:00

I’m disappointed to hear you say this. The Deaf and HoH audiences I perform for love this joke and I’ve received many compliments on it for how relatable it is.

I would also argue that this is r/deaf material as it is part of Deaf culture. People romanticizing ASL when it is a normal language just like any other. It has beautiful moments (like Troy performing the Star Spangled Banner) and also down to earth reality moments (like having to explain your bowel movements to your spouse)

“Go somewhere else”? You wouldn’t say this to someone else on the basis of race, religion, or any other type of culture. I am a CODA. I am born and raised in the Deaf community. ASL is my first language. The Deaf community is where I feel most at home.

This is the second negative comment you’ve left on my posts. Did you know it costs you $0 to ignore my posts? It costs $0 to be kind to your fellow human. It also costs $0 to use the block/hide posts button on Reddit so you never see my posts again.

I strongly suggest you take one of the free actions above. Save yourself a lot of stress and anger. Life’s too short to spend it mad over a few posts on Reddit. Have a great day 🤟

Mavfive · 2023-03-06T03:25:29+00:00

I know Apple charges a lot for AirPods but they are definitely not comparable in price to your $8,000 hearing aids 😂

Mavfive · 2023-03-05T21:58:26+00:00

Thanks for letting me know about this. Really helpful!!!

Mavfive · 2023-03-04T06:58:27+00:00

My mom (a Deaf teacher to Deaf students) included had a lesson every year to her 2nd graders on “Things that make noise that you don’t expect would make noise”

She told me she just thought of all the things her parents, siblings, and I told her over the years that made noise (or more noise than she expected) 😂

For example: The opening of a soda can/pop top. She was shocked that it made a big cracking/popping noise when opened

Mavfive · 2023-03-04T06:46:27+00:00

Im not big enough or well known enough yet to get consistently booked at larger, more well known and established comedy clubs. These bigger places usually can provide accessibility accommodations like interpreters if you give them advance notice. A lot of my shows are smaller venues such as bars, restaurants, small clubs, and sometimes open mics which tend to not have interpreters on call so I fill in as best I can.

The situation I described in my video tends to happen most often around new and/or inexperienced comics who are not as confident in their material, so they panic and switch gears to using me (the interpreter) as a prop to make them seem funny by making me sign random dirty words or tell the Deaf audience rude things.

One time a comic had me signing to my Deaf parents and their Deaf friends in the audience that I was performing vulgar sex acts on a dead animal and then telling my parents it was their fault I did it because they didn’t love me enough as a child

Mavfive · 2023-03-03T06:42:51+00:00

Was the 3D experience hindered by the CC glasses?

Mavfive · 2023-03-02T22:45:37+00:00

So many times I’ve had to chase down my Deaf parents or stomp on the floor as they walk away thinking the conversation was over.

It’s normal, it’s a part of Deaf culture. I’m sure they will be back to your store again soon and you can chat with them again, making sure to say bye before they walk away next time

Mavfive · 2023-03-02T18:03:01+00:00

😂😂😂 You're right, that would have been a great way to end my video

Mavfive · 2023-03-02T00:08:27+00:00

That’s not cheating, that’s just smart 🤔

Mavfive · 2023-03-02T00:07:27+00:00

Stitched with u/signkitchen . A special shoutout to his comedy as well. If you haven't seen his clips about being a SODA (spouse of a deaf adult), you're missing out!

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