The Bridge - What does CODA mean?

In music, the word “coda” usually means a finale or a conclusion. In the deaf community, however, CODA stands for “child of deaf adult,” which is just the beginning for some motivated students who started the campus’ first sign language club.

International business major Sarah Hoffer ’16, raised by deaf parents, learned sign language before English.

“The biggest misconception is that deaf people cannot speak,” said Hoffer. “I often get asked how I was able to learn how to speak as a child if my parents were deaf. Both of my parents speak very well, and my speech developed normally.”

For Hoffer, being a CODA brought challenges as well as joys. She recognized the difference in her parents’ ability to communicate with her friends and in other social settings. However, it also has formed a close bond. Whenever she visits her parents, she attends deaf church with them.

“I often feel more at home within the deaf culture. It is very tight-knit,” said Hoffer. “My family knows most of the deaf people in our community, so I feel like part of a larger family.”

In 2014, Hoffer and Angela Lowe ’16 met when they each approached the Student Government Association about the need for sign language awareness on campus. As a result, they formed Messiah’s American Sign Language (ASL) Club.

“I am not a CODA, but I have always found it to be a beautiful language and an important skill,” said Lowe, a biopsychology major pursuing a doctorate in audiology. “The deaf community is largely marginalized and often gets pushed into the background for ‘cooler’ or ‘more relevant’ cultural discussions.”

The club meets weekly to  learn new signs and to cover topics related to deaf culture.

Club member, CODA and athletic training major Erika Wandel ’18 grew up signing with her deaf mother. “Sign language has made me more outgoing in certain situations,” said Wandel. “It’s been a part of my life, all my life, and it’s not a big issue for me.”

One step a person can take toward assisting the deaf community is becoming more aware of it, which is one of the club’s goals. For example, as a server in a restaurant, Wandel is in a unique position to communicate with deaf diners, who she says are always pleased to meet a fellow signer.

“A good idea would be for Messiah to offer a sign language course,” said Hoffer, who served as club president. “The club has impacted Messiah, especially with education or nursing students who want to learn sign language at a beginner level.”

Lowe echoes that statement. “The deaf culture is relevant, and we will encounter it much more often than we think. At the grocery store. At church. At a conference. Being aware of the nuances of the deaf community and deaf culture is just another thing we can do as Christians to foster a sense of love and understanding for those around us in our day-to-day lives.”

— Gabrielle Kurtz ’18