Deaf Culture Alphabet Soup 

Behind the Acronyms… 

The Deaf community, services that support it, and components of its culture utilize a variety of short-hand acronyms. Explore these acronyms and their meanings below! 

ASL: American Sign Language – The primary language for Deaf community members within the United States. 

PSE: Pidgin Signed English- A mixture of ASL and signed English often used by individuals not fluent in ASL or late-deafened.  

SEE: Signed Exact English- A visual display of English exactly as it is spoken in sign, contrasting from ASL that has its own unique grammar and syntax.  

CODA: Child of a Deaf Adult(s)- An identifier for those who have a parent who is Deaf.  

SODA: Spouse or Sibling(s) of a Deaf Adult(s)- An identifier for those who have a spouse or a sibling(s) who is Deaf.  

NAD: National Association of the Deaf- the premier advocacy and resource organization for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing in the United States.  

DB: DeafBlind- An identifier for individuals who have both significant hearing and vision loss.  

ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act- The civil law of the United States passed in 1990 written to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities.  

VRI: Video Remote Interpreting- This is a form of interpreting utilizing remote interpreters via video calling to interpreter for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals with hearing individuals.  

CART: Communication Access Real-time Translation- This is a form of captioning that involves a writer typing captions as written English from vocalized spoken English in real-time.  

VRS: Video Relay Service- An assistive program that connects an American Sign Language user to a communication assistant via video for that communication assistant to make phone calls on behalf of the sign language user and to interpret phone conversations for both parties.  

VP: Video Phone- A telephone with calling capabilities that displays the caller visually for easy signing communication.  

RID: Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf- The national certifying organization for sign language interpreters of the United States.  

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Q&A

1. What does ADA stand for?
   ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act, a civil rights law passed in 1990 to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life.

2. What does ASL stand for?
ASL stands for American Sign Language, the primary language used by the Deaf community in the United States.

3. What is PSE?
PSE stands for Pidgin Signed English, a blend of American Sign Language and signed English, often used by individuals who are not fluent in ASL or are late-deafened.

4. What does CODA mean?
CODA stands for Child of a Deaf Adult, referring to individuals who have at least one Deaf parent.

5. What is VRI?
VRI stands for Video Remote Interpreting, a service that connects Deaf individuals with interpreters via video calls, facilitating communication with hearing individuals.