What is the difference between deaf and dumb?

Answer 1

You can be Mute without being Deaf, people that don't have the ability to or don't want to talk would be mute. "Deaf-Mute" (and that isn't a widely used description anymore) would refer to a person who was Deaf and did not speak.

Answer 2

Deaf people are usually unable to speak because they don't hear any sound which they can imitate. A child learns to speak by imitating the sounds that he hears. A deaf person, devoid of hearing any sounds in the surrounding, is unable to frame words and thus, sentences. They can't speak very well because they can't hear how things are pronounced, simple things like 'Beans' has the same lip pattern as 'peas' so unless you can hear it, it is just guess work.

There, of course, are deaf people who can speak, especially if they were born hearing & gone deaf over time. They are usually referred to as "speaking deaf". These speaking deaf people face the same problem of communication as the speechless or mute deaf. Even though they are able to speak, they cannot hear anything, which makes their disability exactly as profound as a completely deaf person. The intensity of deafness does not depend on the power of speech. It is quite the opposite. Speaking power depends on the audibility.

A speaking deaf is also as unaware of his surroundings as a mute deaf. Therefore he'll have troubles listening to horns on the road, or the sounds of an approaching vehicle. He will not be able to hear any kinds of announcements. There is no way that a speaking deaf can listen to any sound, despite the fact that he can make verbal statements.

Answer 3

The term "deaf" (with a lowercase d) is used to reference individuals by hearing status, not affiliation with a particular culture. While these individuals may have a hearing loss, they may identify as members of any culture.

On the other hand, "Deaf" (with a capital D), often times called "Big 'D' Deaf," is a cultural label used amongst members of the Deaf community. This label is used to refer to individuals or groups of individuals who are part of Deaf Culture--a culture with it's own language (American Sign Language), social beliefs, traditions, literature, art, history and values. Members of the Deaf community do not view their deafness as a disability, and may find it offensive to be labeled as such. In fact given changes in U.S. legislation (ADA, IDEA, etc.) as well as technological advances (text messaging, email and video relay interpreting) the phrase "Deaf people can do anything but hear" has become a trademark of the Deaf community.

Deaf Culture is inclusive of individuals who are deaf, as well as their friends, families, and paraprofessionals such as sign language interpreters.

Lucas Lancaster

Communication Manager

Gracias Video Relay Services

Communication@GraciasVRS.com

Answer 4

In the United States, "Deaf" with a capital "D" refers to those that use American Sign Language as their primary language. Not all deaf people are Deaf.

To be deaf is to be unable to hear. It's normally defined as being profoundly hard of hearing.

But to be Deaf is to be use sign language as your primary means of communication.

So deaf people who aren't "think hearing" but embrace being deaf and therefore sign fluently are considered Deaf

Answer 5

"Deaf" means you cannot hear, "dumb" (in this context) means you cannot speak.