Bridging gaps in deaf epistemology: exploring deaf narratives and perspectives

Abstract Deaf epistemology, which focuses on the unique ways deaf individuals navigate and experience the auditory world, has become a critical area of study in recent years, particularly in the U.S. This literature review explores key themes in deaf U.S. epistemology, focusing on the comparison between traditional (hearing-centered) epistemology and deaf epistemology, as well as the influences of identity, culture, and sign language. Findings reveal that deaf epistemology in the U.S. is deeply shaped by identity, cultural pride, Deafhood, and the recognition of American Sign Language and situated homecoming, raising questions about how deaf experiences contribute to knowledge. These findings suggest that it may be useful to explore the concept of deaf epistemology in countries such as Indonesia, where historical context, Indonesian Sign Language (Bisindo), identity, and culture have developed under different social and political conditions. This review seeks to use the U.S. deaf epistemology framework to investigate how a distinct deaf Indonesian epistemology might emerge, given the challenges of language suppression, limited educational access, and the struggle for recognition of Bisindo. This work contributes to ongoing advocacy for the recognition of Bisindo and deaf culture in Indonesia, providing a foundation for future research on how deaf Indonesians construct knowledge in their own cultural context.