Signs for UNPLUG

Meaning: disconnect (an electrical device) by removing its plug from a socket.

Pronunciation/articulation: Dominant "V" handshape (handshape), palm down (orientation), in contact with the passive upright flat-B handshape with palm facing right (location), pull out once (movement).

Phonological variation: Dominant "V" handshape (handshape), palm down (orientation), in contact with the passive upright "V" handshape with palm facing right (location), pull out once (movement).

Deaf Culture and tidbits

Deaf zap story

In the "Audism Unveiled" documentary, a guy told a story about his workplace in the 1980s. He worked as a counselor that he and other deaf workers used to rely on a secretary who can sign for making phone calls and "interpreting". The employer found out about it and told the secretary to focus on her work and set a limit of phone calls to Thursdays at particular hours. The deaf workers were outraged. In response, the day before, they unplugged all phones. Next day, serveral hearing workers couldn't make phone calls. A meeting was summoned for an explanation. The explanation that hearing workers could only make phone calls once a week as well. After that, the organization hired a full time interpreter at the work.

This is one of many examples of Deaf people's resistance against audism and everyday microaggressions in the 20th century, before things changed for better with policies on diversity, equality, inclusivity, etc. in the 21st century.

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