都柏林圣三一学院

The Centre for Deaf Studies in Trinity College affords students the opportunity to develop insights into, and genuine appreciation for the culture, contributions, and contemporary issues related to Deaf people in Ireland and worldwide. The undergraduate programme is the only one of its kind in Ireland. Irish Sign Language (ISL) is the indigenous language of the Deaf Community in Ireland and is the working language at the Centre for Deaf Studies.

ISL is a language like any other language, but it happens to use signs rather than sounds. There are many different sign languages in the world in the same way as there are different spoken languages. ISL is one of the many signed languages recognised by European Institutions and Northern Ireland. During the four year course students develop fluency in ISL. As a student you may choose to specialise as an ISL/English Interpreter, an ISL teacher or to focus on Deaf Studies. The coursework also provides information on the historical and cultural background of the Irish Deaf community with particular emphasis on the perspective of Deaf people living in a hearing society. Students entering the Deaf Studies programme will explore a range of educational, social, cultural, linguistic, and psychological issues and their application to Deaf people, as individuals, as a community, and as a linguistic and cultural minority.

The multi-disciplinary approach to your studies is led by a strong academic team, many of whom are Deaf. It will provide in-depth training that prepares undergraduates for a number of exciting career options working with Deaf people, in education, community and a range of other service settings e.g., as a disability officer, resource officer, research assistant or as an administrator in Deaf community organisations. With this foundation, students frequently go on to postgraduate study.

Deaf Studies: The course for you?

Deaf Studies is the right course for you if…

• You are interested in studying Irish Sign Language (ISL), Deaf culture and aspects of the Deaf community
• You wish to acquire an understanding of the Deaf community as a part of human diversity
• You wish to spend your professional or social life after graduation in the Deaf community, or to make further contributions in a chosen academic discipline
• You are hearing, Deaf or hard of hearing – all are encouraged to apply and no prior knowledge of sign language is required