1940s
Here is a list of Singapore newspaper articles from 1940 to 1949 that have been coded and analysed.
Newspaper Articles
“2 deaf-mutes is my limit.” (1949, April 26). The Singapore Free Press, p. 5. Retrieved from https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/freepress19490426-1.2.82
Themes
Codes:
Ableism and audism
employment discrimination
medical model of disability
social model of disability
charity/paternalism/benevolence porn
portrayal of deaf people as dependent
resilience and agency
Thematic Analysis
This 1949 article contains historical attitudes towards deafness and deaf people. There are explicit and implicit assumptions about disability.
It was written in the 1940s. It uses terminology such as “deaf-mute,” and “dumb” that is now considered outdated and offensive.
Ableism and audism are strong themes.
Mr Peng has to appeal for sympathy instead of being assessed primarily on his qualifications from the statement “I think you can sympathise with me too.”
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Employment for deaf people is framed as an act of charity instead of recognising that deaf people are competent.
Mr Adams says: “I have now two deaf-mutes on my staff. I can’t take on anymore.”
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Implies there is an informal limit to how many deaf employees are acceptable regardless of individual ability.
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Suggests deafness itself as the limiting factor instead of the applicants’ qualifications.
Although Mr Peng highlights his skills such as “book-keeping and correspondence in Chinese and English”, these qualifications receive much less attention than his disability. This reflects ableist and audist assumptions that deaf workers are exceptions instead of ordinary employees.
Employment discrimination is a strong theme as there are employment barriers.
Mr Peng has relevant education, teaching experience, and language skills. However, he has been searching unsuccessfully for work. Yet, employers appear reluctant to hire him because he is deaf. His unemployment is not caused by lack of education or qualifications but by employers’ attitudes towards deaf people.
Medical model of disability
The article mostly reflects the medical model because it sees disability as an individual's impairment or defect.
Repeated use of labels such as “deaf-mute” and “dumb man” Mr Peng, although he is deaf uses the words “I see you have offered a job to a dumb man”. This means Mr Peng himself accepted the words used at that time. His identity is framed through a deficit lens.
The story invites readers to view Mr. Peng as someone with a personal problem requiring sympathy.
His deafness is shown as the main obstacle.
Social model of disability
The article provides evidence showing some elements of the social model indirectly.
The social model proposes that disability results from social attitudes and societal barriers instead of impairment itself.
It is evident that Mr Peng is educated and employable based on his education background and previous work experience.
Yet, barriers include employers unwilling to hire deaf workers, lack of education infrastructure, and limited government support. These barriers reinforce disability exclusion and limits opportunities for deaf people.
For eg., the sentence “The Department had not yet started a school for the deaf and dumb”. This suggests there were institutional barriers and lack of resources instead only honing in on the inabilities of the individual.
Similarly, Mr. Adams’ refusal shows that exclusion comes from employers’ decisions or resources, not Mr. Peng’s abilities.
Charity/Paternalism/benevolence porn
Employment as an act of kindness.
Mr Adams is praised for helping one deaf man. Mr Peng, another deaf man, approaches him hoping for similar generosity. Mr. Peng appeals to sympathy instead of employment rights.
The relationship is presented as a generous employer and grateful disabled recipient, instead of as a qualified applicant going through a fair recruitment process.
This shows a charitable perspective instead of a rights-based understanding of disability.
Portrayal of deaf people as dependent
Although it is evident that Mr. Peng is capable, the article depicts him as someone who needs assistance from hearing people. The emphasis is on his struggle, his appeals and his continued search for work, instead of on discrimination, barriers in society or his professional abilities.
Resilience and Agency
Despite the barriers and dependency framing, Mr. Peng also shows considerable agency. He migrates to Singapore, actively searches for work, approaches employers directly, writes persuasive notes showing his literacy skills and highlights his qualifications.
This presents him as proactive, persistent and resourceful instead of passive.
Historical attitudes towards disabled people
The article provides insight into the zeitgeist of disability discourse in the 1940s and 1950s:
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routine use of terminology that is offensive and outdated.
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the expectation that disabled people rely on sympathy.
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low expectations for deaf employment and acceptance of informal hiring processes and limits.
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absence of discussion about accessibility or workplace accommodations.
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Mr Peng is defined by his deafness instead of his qualifications.
Mother acts as interpreter. (1948, January 24). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19480124-1.2.56
Themes
Codes:
Ableism and audism
Discrimination
Medical model of disability
Social model of disability
Reduced agency/Helper model of interpreting
Thematic Analysis
Ableism and Audism
The article describes Quek as “deaf and dumb”. It assumes his mother is the only way he can participate in court. The term “deaf and dumb” is now considered outdated and offensive because it equates deafness with an inability to communicate or think. The article does not question whether a qualified sign language interpreter or other accommodations should have been provided, which reflects historical audist assumptions about deaf people’s communication abilities.
Discrimination
There is some discrimination. The court relied on Quek’s mother to interpret the proceedings instead of providing a professional interpreter. At that time, interpreting was not professionalised and still isn’t until now as there is no certification in Singapore. The absence of accessible communication services suggests unequal access to the justice system. This could reflect discrimination against deaf people in legal settings. Also, the mother interpreting for the son could reflect bias since she is his next-of-kin.
Medical model of disability
The words “deaf and dumb son” hints that his impairment defines him.
Social model of disability
There is an indirect element of the social model. The mother states that she can help her son understand the proceedings. Although the article doesn’t explicitly discuss accessibility, it reveals a barrier - the court lacked accessibility services for a deaf defendant. From a social model perspective, the problem is not Quek’s deafness, but absence of accessible interpreting services which is why he had to rely on his mother.
Reduced agency/Helper model of interpreting
The legal system did not create the conditions for Quek to exercise his agency directly. Instead of showing he lacked the capacity to understand the proceedings, the article suggests that his agency was mediated through his mother who was his interpreter. However ,it is important not to overstate the mother’s role as disempowering. Given the historical context, she may have been the only practical means for him to participate at all. Her actions can be understood as both supportive advocacy which enables him to engage in the proceedings and evidence of systemic barriers since his participation depended on a family member rather than on accessible legal processes.
The article depicts Quek as having constrained agency. He communicates through gestures and signs and appears capable of participating. However, his voice is mediated by his mother because the court did not have the means to provide a way for him to communicate via a professional sign language interpreter. His participation is under his mother’s control even if she is acting in his best interests. The court accepts his mother’s role as an intermediary as there was no other option at that time.
Deaf & dumb, but able. (1947, May 27). Malaya Tribune, p. 5. Retrieved from https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/maltribune19470527-1.2.46
Themes
Codes:
ableism and audism
medical model
social model
helper model of interpreting
deaf agency
competence vs hearing people's expectations
literacy and alternative modes of communication
inspiration porn
Thematic Analysis
The title is contradictory. “Deaf & dumb, but able.”
The conjunction “but” implies that being “deaf and dumb” is normally associated with inability or stupidity. However, this man is an exception. The term "deaf and dumb" reflects an underlying ableist/audist assumption. Yet the article itself shows no evidence that the accused is incapable because he:
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Understands the charge
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Prepares a written statement showing he is literate
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Communicates clearly in written English
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Completes the interaction efficiently on his own without the interpreter.
The first three words of the title reinforces stereotypes of deaf people as generally incapable or deficient, while the events of the article contradict those stereotypes by demonstrating the accused’s competence and independence.
Ableism and Audism
The article contains ableist/audist language and assumptions.
The use of “deaf and dumb” reflects a medical and deficit lens which was common at that time.
The hearing interpreter assumes that communication with a deaf person will be difficult and require rehearsed signing.
The humour of the story comes from the hearing people’s and interpreter’s assumptions about the accused abilities, and this suggests that literacy and competence are unexpected in a deaf person. The deaf person was able to be independent of the interpreter in this context.
Audism is a strong theme because the expectations are based on hearing norms and assumptions about deaf people’s abilities.
Medical model
The article largely adopts a medical model.
The man’s deafness is introduced as the defining aspect of the story. Deafness is presented as a communication problem that must be overcome by hearing interpreters.
The interpreter is positioned as the first expected solution, before the deaf man demonstrates another method of communication, through a written note.
The article doesn't consider society adapting to multiple communication methods. Instead it makes assumptions about what deaf people need and can or can't do.
Social model
There is a small aspect of the social model.
The communication barrier disappears because the deaf man writes a clear note and the court is able to understand it.
This implies that communication barriers are not found in deafness but are contingent on accessible communication methods. However, the article doesn’t explicitly advocate for accessibility or accommodations.
Helper model of interpreting - Present, then undermined.
Initially the interpreter is portrayed almost as a rescuer or “helper”:
“The interpreter was still rehearsing…” “confident he could deal with any deaf and dumb man.”
This positions the interpreter as essential and necessary. However, subsequent events subverts this expectation. The deaf man simply hands over a written note, which makes the interpreter and the interpreter’s rehearsal unnecessary. Therefore, the helper role is quietly undermined.
Deaf Agency
This is a strong theme. The accused communicates independently, anticipates what is needed, writes clearly in English, pleads guilty himself and does not rely on the interpreter.
The note:
“I am deaf and dumb. Plead guilty. Thanks.” This shows the man’s surprising efficiency and self-advocacy.
Unlike many historical news articles where hearing relatives or interpreters speak on behalf of deaf people, this man actually speaks for himself even though it is through writing instead of speech.
Competence vs hearing people’s expectations.
A major theme is the contrast between hearing assumptions and deaf people’s competence.
Everyone expects complicated signing, sign language interpretation and lengthy communication.
Instead the deaf man resolves everything in one sentence that he writes down.
The humour comes from hearing people’s mistaken audist assumptions.
The deaf man comes out looking like the most competent person in the room.
Literacy and alternative modes of communication
The article highlights that deaf people may be able to communicate effectively through writing. Sign language is not the only means of communication and literacy enables independent participation in legal proceedings.
Inspiration porn
There is a mild element of inspiration porn as the title suggests surprise that the deaf person is capable.
It implies that even though he is deaf and dumb, it's like "Look! He can do this".
Ordinary competence in hearing people is treated as surprising and noteworthy because the person is deaf.
However, the article is more humorous than inspirational.
The article is particularly interesting because it contains a tension between its framing and its content. The headline and opening paragraphs rely on ableist/audist assumptions, as it prepares readers to expect communication difficulties and dependence. Yet, the actual events undermine those assumptions, as the deaf accused demonstrates agency, literacy, and independence by efficiently managing his own legal interaction without the interpreter’s assistance.