Writing in English?

First, please know I don't want to be rude or offend anyone. If my question offends anyone, I really am sorry and will delete the thread (if I can?).

I am hearing and wanted to know about writing to Deaf. I understand that reading/writing in English can be hard for some, but there are a lot of Deaf that have strong English skills. When texting with Deaf friends, I try to match my English level to each friend. Some write in simple sentences, others at a more advanced level.

What is the best way to write in chats? I don't want to offend anyone if I write in easy sentences, but I also want everyone to be comfortable and able to understand what I say.

If I had to read/write everything in ASL GLOSS, Spanish, or any language other than English it would be hard for me. I'm not judging anyone, I just want to be able to communicate the best way.
Again, I hope that wasn't a rude question. Thanks for your advice




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I've seen Deaf people with advance English skills in reading & writing. Within a year or so after graduating from college, their English proficiency drops dramatically and I wondered why... it happens to me too! I looked at my old English papers and I couldn't even understand all of the advance words/grammars I wrote down.

Maybe this is a known illness in Deaf people? I have no idea.

Have you seen the threads lately here? If you would do that it's obvious we can write and read just as well as the hearies. Just type like you would normally.

Most deaf people on here have adequate writing skills. You should feel comfortable chatting with us. Just be yourself.

misdirectionx said:

I've seen Deaf people with advance English skills in reading & writing. Within a year or so after graduating from college, their English proficiency drops dramatically and I wondered why... it happens to me too! I looked at my old English papers and I couldn't even understand all of the advance words/grammars I wrote down.

Maybe this is a known illness in Deaf people? I have no idea.

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We have a lot Deaf member here that have very good English skills, I use to Daily newspaper forum and there where a lot people that had kept using
'there' for 'their' , I do not see that here .. being Deaf or HOH is not an illness .

Just write as you normally would. I am still amazed that deafies master the English language since it is one of the most difficult in the world!
It is too bad that TDD's are no longer in vogue, since you encounter all sorts of English mastery levels with their use.

Most deaf people can read and comprehend English but sometimes have a hard time expressing it correctly via writing. I'll bet you anything that if you write like you normally do, at least 99% of people here can comprehend what you write. Do not change and it doesn't help us if hearing people write English using ASL syntax. How else could we learn to write English correctly?

Mostly people have translate to had writing to had ASL/ native English.. poor write can assistant maybe level your grade grammar match on how.

What is this English thing you're talking about? Deaf people would rather show off their turbocharged vehicles. They don't need much, if any English skills.

Awesome. I didnt know I was called a "hearie" thats cool.


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Thanks everyone for your responses. Now that I think about it that really was a silly question, lol. I'm still new here and I think I was just so nervous about fitting in that I freaked out a little ::face-palm::

Now that all the awkwardness is gone and I can relax a little, I promise to not post anymore silly threads


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misdirectionx said:

I've seen Deaf people with advance English skills in reading & writing. Within a year or so after graduating from college, their English proficiency drops dramatically and I wondered why... it happens to me too! I looked at my old English papers and I couldn't even understand all of the advance words/grammars I wrote down.

Maybe this is a known illness in Deaf people? I have no idea.

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This is a good observation, I think it applies to all people, both hearing and Deaf. I know for me, I was much better with math in high school. Now when my son asks for help with his math homework I'm completely confused and often have to look online to help remember how to solve the problems. I guess it's true that "if you don't use it you, lose it"



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dereksbicycles said:

What is this English thing you're talking about? Deaf people would rather show off their turbocharged vehicles. They don't need much, if any English skills.

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Haha, that's awesome!
I WISH I had a turbocharged vehicle!! I bet if I did I'd be more concerned with that than stressing out about boring old English maybe that's the answer to my problems...I just need a fancy car!!


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MandiMeeks said:

First, please know I don't want to be rude or offend anyone. If my question offends anyone, I really am sorry and will delete the thread (if I can?).

I am hearing and wanted to know about writing to Deaf. I understand that reading/writing in English can be hard for some, but there are a lot of Deaf that have strong English skills. When texting with Deaf friends, I try to match my English level to each friend. Some write in simple sentences, others at a more advanced level.

What is the best way to write in chats? I don't want to offend anyone if I write in easy sentences, but I also want everyone to be comfortable and able to understand what I say.

If I had to read/write everything in ASL GLOSS, Spanish, or any language other than English it would be hard for me. I'm not judging anyone, I just want to be able to communicate the best way.
Again, I hope that wasn't a rude question. Thanks for your advice

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MandiMeeks, just write the way you normally do. If you try to lower the level of written composition, you aren't doing us a favor. It won't help. Most of my fellow deaf/hard of hearing peers understand my e-mails or texts just fine and will let me know if further clarification is needed.


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Please don't attempt to "dumb down" your writing for a Deaf person. That is just utterly insulting to say the least. Just because ASL is not communicated the same way as English is spoken does not mean most of the Deaf community can not understand or read written English as is. :roll: They may write in an ASL structure to save time or out of habit, but they can still understand English written as it is! Surprisingly enough, most of us did attend school and everything you know... some of us even go to college and hold degrees! :jaw: Shocking! I know you said in the beginning "I don't want to offend anyone by asking this" and everything. The fact of the matter is by even having to ask that question is just plain offensive right off the bat. For having "Deaf friends you talk to" that is sure a question I wouldn't suspect to come out of the mouth of someone who hangs around Deafies... Freaking ask me if you need to dumb down your English for me...

Mewtilation said:

Please don't attempt to "dumb down" your writing for a Deaf person. That is just utterly insulting to say the least. Just because ASL is not communicated the same way as English is spoken does not mean most of the Deaf community can not understand or read written English as is. :roll: They may write in an ASL structure to save time or out of habit, but they can still understand English written as it is! Surprisingly enough, most of us did attend school and everything you know... some of us even go to college and hold degrees! :jaw: Shocking! I know you said in the beginning "I don't want to offend anyone by asking this" and everything. The fact of the matter is by even having to ask that question is just plain offensive right off the bat. For having "Deaf friends you talk to" that is sure a question I wouldn't suspect to come out of the mouth of someone who hangs around Deafies... Freaking ask me if you need to dumb down your English for me...

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I'm very sorry to have offended or insulted you, that was never my intent. Please accept my apology and know I honestly didn't want to upset anyone. You make a good point about some writing in ASL structure out of habit or to save time, yet being able to comprehend written English easily enough. I had never considered this, so I'm happy you mentioned it as it is a new perspective for me and something I probably wouldn't have realized without your help.

One of my ASL teachers, who is Deaf herself and also a Teacher for the Deaf, once told us that "placing a blank sheet of paper in front of a Deaf child and asking them to write is terrifying for them since so many Deaf students struggle with English". While that is probably not true everywhere, it seems to be the case where I live. Much of this could be due to the fact that there isn't a School for the Deaf in NV and also a shortage of interpreters, so students are at a disadvantage and not able to access education with the ease in which they deserve. Many of my Deaf friends are from NV and find written English to be more challenging than others I have gotten to know through alldeaf. But I do understand that everyone is different and I shouldn't make assumptions based on my limited encounters with the handful of Deaf that I personally know. I'm aware that there are countless numbers of successful and well educated Deaf adults, my teacher for example has a Master's Degree and is one of the most brilliant and fascinating women I've ever met, and I'm very sorry if I gave the impression that I thought otherwise.

If there is anyway for me to delete this thread please let me know. I feel horrible that I've offended you, or anyone else who might read my original post..



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It isn't that offensive. It seems to be a common thought among people who are studying ASL beyond the beginner stage.

The thread should just stay here and maybe a lot of new people will not need to ask that question as it is already answered here.

By the way, there are lots of people who aren't really that comfortable with English. You can find a lot of them at deafvideotv and Facebook. But they won't be that comfortable with you either. That's kind of a deaf separatist issue.

Alldeaf today mostly has oral deaf and late deafened or hoh people, not very many Deaf here.

Don't worry about insulting us, hey at you least you asked instead of just assuming we're all just "deaf and dumb". That's a good step in the right direction and it's all right, we all have to start somewhere. Even riding a bicycle takes several tries.

To be fair with you, there are some uneducated deaf people who don't have a strong command of the english language. But then again you can say that even for some hearies. IMO your ASL teacher is being a little too general, not every deaf child is going to be some kind of idiot and scared of writing on a sheet of paper.

A better approach to a deaf child would be to just sign "hello how are you" and if the child replies then do ASL instead of paper communication. The problem with paper communication is that it's time-consuming. Otherwise if the deaf child gives a puzzled look wondering what you're signing, then go to paper.

Seeing as how you're wanting to learn more about interacting with deaf children you might want to check out deaf conferences such as A.G. Bell, Deafnation, etc... That would give you a better idea of the wide variety of deaf people.

And like Mewtilation is saying some of us even have degrees (myself included) and we're not some incapable people living off disability checks. I have a full-time job as a programmer and own my own house and car and I don't live off handouts.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Bottesini said:

It isn't that offensive. It seems to be a common thought among people who are studying ASL beyond the beginner stage.

The thread should just stay here and maybe a lot of new people will not need to ask that question as it is already answered here.

By the way, there are lots of people who aren't really that comfortable with English. You can find a lot of them at deafvideotv and Facebook. But they won't be that comfortable with you either. That's kind of a deaf separatist issue.

Alldeaf today mostly has oral deaf and late deafened or hoh people, not very many Deaf here.

Click to expand...

I've never heard of deafvideotv before, but I'm excited to check it out. Thanks for helping, I do appreciate it!

A Nihilist said:

Don't worry about insulting us, hey at you least you asked instead of just assuming we're all just "deaf and dumb". That's a good step in the right direction and it's all right, we all have to start somewhere. Even riding a bicycle takes several tries.

To be fair with you, there are some uneducated deaf people who don't have a strong command of the english language. But then again you can say that even for some hearies. IMO your ASL teacher is being a little too general, not every deaf child is going to be some kind of idiot and scared of writing on a sheet of paper.

A better approach to a deaf child would be to just sign "hello how are you" and if the child replies then do ASL instead of paper communication. The problem with paper communication is that it's time-consuming. Otherwise if the deaf child gives a puzzled look wondering what you're signing, then go to paper.

Seeing as how you're wanting to learn more about interacting with deaf children you might want to check out deaf conferences such as A.G. Bell, Deafnation, etc... That would give you a better idea of the wide variety of deaf people.

And like Mewtilation is saying some of us even have degrees (myself included) and we're not some incapable people living off disability checks. I have a full-time job as a programmer and own my own house and car and I don't live off handouts.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Click to expand...

I'm glad that I didn't upset everyone. After reading Mewtilation's response I wanted to crawl in a hole and hide!! I'll be finished with my AA in Deaf Studies this winter and want to go on to be a Teacher for the Deaf, so I appreciate all your advice about dealing with Deaf children and conferences you mentioned. I've still got SO much to learn (obviously) and the Deaf community where I live is very small, so there aren't a lot of local resources. I hate that I found this great website, only to make an ass out of myself on my first thread :/ thanks for being nice, despite my initial ass-ness


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I'll forgive you if you change your name to MandiAss