Deaf Authors

A Pathfinder

Deaf literature is composed of works by both deaf and hearing authors. Most of the authors are hearing but in recent years, there has been a focus on deaf authors of short stories, novels, poetry, and plays. This pathfinder will guide you to various resources which identify literary works by deaf authors and criticism of their work. This pathfinder does not include autobiographies or ASL poetry.

INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION

For introductory information about deaf authors of literature, check the following resources:

• Van Cleve, John, ed. Gallaudet encyclopedia of deaf people and deafness. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1987. See "Literature, Writers In," Volume 2, pages 176-193 for a historical overview. Use the index in Volume 3 to find related information under: plays, poems, poetry, poets, and writers. (RESERVE: DEAF 030 G3 1987)
• Carbin, Clifton F. Deaf heritage in Canada: a distinctive, diverse, and enduring culture. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1996. See "Literary works by Deaf Canadians," pages 310-316. Use the index to find information on the following topics: authors, books written by deaf Canadians, poems, poetry, and poets (RESERVE: DEAF 305.771 C37d 1996)
• Jackson, Peter. Britain's deaf heritage. Edinburgh: Pentland Press Limited, 1990. See chapter: "Literature, theatre, and television," p.278-295. (RESERVE: DEAF 370.942 J32b 1990)
• Gannon, Jack. Deaf heritage. Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf, 1981. Use the index to locate "Poetry by deaf poets." (RESERVE: DEAF 305.773 G3d 1981)

BOOKS

Single works and anthologies written by deaf authors can be found in the WRLC Libraries Catalog of the ALADIN computer system (http://www.aladin.wrlc.org/).

Use the following Keyword searches:

• "author is deaf"
• authors and deaf and anthology
• authors and deaf and criticism
• authors and deaf and fiction
• dramatists and deaf
• "literary collections" and deaf
• poets and deaf
• "writings of" and deaf

ALADIN DATABASES

Gallaudet University Library Guide to Deaf Biographies

This guide is accessible through the Gallaudet University Library Web page (http://library.gallaudet.edu) under Deaf-Related Resources and through the ALADIN computer system.

Search by keyword or Browse Occupations. Some keywords or occupations are:

• author
• dramatist
• poet
• writer

Gallaudet University Library Index to Deaf Periodicals

Several now-ceased deaf-related periodicals include literary works by deaf authors and articles about them. These periodicals are:

• American Annals of the Deaf and Dumb
• Deaf American
• Deaf Life
• Deaf Nation
• Silent Worker

They are indexed in the Gallaudet University Library Index to Deaf Periodicals, available through Gallaudet University Library Web page under Deaf-Related Resources (http://library.gallaudet.edu) and through the ALADIN databases.

In the Search by Keyword category, click Subjects for the "search for" and use the following terms:

• authors
• dramatists
• playwrights
• poets
• various forms of literature: poetry, short stories, etc.
• individual names, example: bruce hlibok

Additional Indexes

In the online databases listed below, search for criticism of individual deaf authors or deaf writers who have written critiques of other authors' works.

• Ebscohost Academic Premier
• Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe
• MLA International Bibliography
• Periodical Index/1983-1993
• ProQuest Research Libraries

For dissertations, search Dissertation Abstracts International.

The above indexes in ALADIN may be accessed from anywhere by current Gallaudet students, faculty, and staff, and by visitors on the Gallaudet campus. Non-Gallaudet researchers in other locations may be able to access the above or similar databases through their own libraries.

OTHER RESOURCES

World Wide Web (WWW)

The Gale Group Literary Index (http://www.galenet.com/servlet/LitIndex) identifies other reference resources that may be available in the library.

FOR NON-GALLAUDET USERS: HOW TO GET COPIES

To obtain articles or books contact your academic or public library. If your library does not have these resources, it may be able to obtain photocopies of journal articles or borrow books for you through Interlibrary Loan. Your library will not necessarily get those copies from Gallaudet University; it will usually request items from the nearest library that owns them. There may be a charge for Interlibrary Loan, depending on the policies of your library and of the lending library. Your librarian will advise you of any charges, restrictions, and the time frame.

Remember: if you are having trouble finding information, or if you would like any additional help, please ask at the Library Service Desk or email library.help@gallaudet.edu