手話言語話者に対する循環的質問法を用いた心理社会的支援：

コミュニケーションの語用論の視点から

抄録

　　This article presents a theory on effective psycho-social support for individuals who use sign language as their first language and who experience difficulties communicating with people who primarily use spoken language. The problems faced by deaf clients when communicating with users of spoken language and solutions to those problems have not yet been identified. Moreover, circular questions for clients who use sign language and who face difficult situations involving spoken language and sign language have not yet been discussed.

　　This theoretical research was conducted based on pragmatic communication and the theory of CMM. The process by which three types of linguistic information (linguistic, paralinguistic and non-linguistic information) deviates for individuals who use sign language is explained and a problem-solving approach using circular questions is described.

　　The client was encouraged to describe the sequence of speaking with others. The therapist used descriptive circular questions to transform the act of speaking. Reflexive questions were used, with the therapist encouraging the client to construct the meaning of the act of speaking, constituting a novel use of Tomm’s circular questions.

　　Results indicated difficulties due to deficits in both auditory and visual-linguistic and paralinguistic information. These deficits led to immediate difficulties in the client’s construction of meaning. To address this, the client was encouraged to separately describe the specific act of speaking (both by herself and by the other person) and three types of linguistic information. This unique tracking method helped the client arrive at an appropriate solution to the act of speaking.

　　In conclusion, the theoretical framework of using three types of linguistic information was useful at assessing and transforming the client’s challenges. Circular questions can be used to specify ways individuals who use sign language can solve their problems when communicating with people who use spoken language.