WFD now bans "deaf-mute" and "hearing impaired"

flip · 12-22-2011, 06:02 AM

Found this here, a statement from WFD, About us

Quote:

Is it OK to use the term “deaf-mute”, “deaf and dumb” or “hearing impaired” in reference to a deaf person who can’t talk?
No, it’s no longer an acceptable term.

I find it a bit funny that they say it's not acceptable to use the term "deaf-mute" for deaf persons who can't talk. I'm a member of WFD by the way.

What do you think?

**mbrek** · 12-22-2011, 03:56 PM

Sounds like splitting hairs...

**saywhatkid** · 12-22-2011, 04:41 PM

What is the preferred term? Is there one? At some point, someone somewhere might need to mention "Hey, this person does not speak." Do we try for "this person does not speak" or "vocally impaired" or what?

**Beowulf** · 12-22-2011, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saywhatkid

What is the preferred term? Is there one? At some point, someone somewhere might need to mention "Hey, this person does not speak." Do we try for "this person does not speak" or "vocally impaired" or what?

Vocally challenged?

**mbrek** · 12-22-2011, 04:47 PM

^^^

**saywhatkid** · 12-22-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beowulf

Vocally challenged?

I might be naive, but I always felt that "mute" was not offensive. I have rarely used that term, but if it is unacceptable, I would hope for something else to be used. Nothing quite like someone condescendingly roasting me when I am trying to be polite.

**Beowulf** · 12-22-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saywhatkid

I might be naive, but I always felt that "mute" was not offensive. I have rarely used that term, but if it is unacceptable, I would hope for something else to be used. Nothing quite like someone condescendingly roasting me when I am trying to be polite.

We have thick skin, I suppose. I carry around a small pad of paper I call my "mute notes." *shrugs*

Speedy Hawk · 12-22-2011, 05:00 PM

Deaf-mute is much better to use than Deaf-dumb.

Deaf-mute rarely being used. I know some can't speak at all, when someone ask me about them I just say (sign if terp there or paper and pen) they Deaf and full BSL user.

**mbrek** · 12-22-2011, 05:11 PM

^^^I agree. Dumb has such different meaning now. But mute?

So on my tv, will I be pressing the "vocally challenged" button? Give me a break!

**saywhatkid** · 12-22-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbrek

^^^I agree. Dumb has such different meaning now. But mute?

So on my tv, will I be pressing the "vocally challenged" button? Give me a break!

Wow, that is quite a remote you have there.

**Beowulf** · 12-22-2011, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbrek

^^^I agree. Dumb has such different meaning now. But mute?

So on my tv, will I be pressing the "vocally challenged" button? Give me a break!

You prefer vocally absent?

For the life of me, I cannot think of the perfect term.

**mbrek** · 12-22-2011, 05:19 PM

We'll all need bigger remotes just to accommodate the current PC verbage on the button. Sheesh!

**saywhatkid** · 12-22-2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbrek

We'll all need bigger remotes just to accommodate the current PC verbage on the button. Sheesh!

The "button formerly known as mute" (BFKAM) would be the biggest one on the remote to get all that wordage on it.

deafdyke · 12-22-2011, 05:33 PM

What about voice off? There is the term nonverbal, but that is used for people with severe or profound mental handicap who cannot speak.

**saywhatkid** · 12-22-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deafdyke

What about voice off? There is the term nonverbal, but that is used for people with severe or profound mental handicap who cannot speak.

I could use that. It is not cumbersome.

**mbrek** · 12-22-2011, 05:43 PM

^^^It doesn't sound optional? I always thought that voice-off was a choice.

**saywhatkid** · 12-22-2011, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbrek

^^^It doesn't sound optional? I always thought that voice-off was a choice.

Yes, a description of choosing to not speak. It would be ok to use as a replacement; better than "vocally challenged" or "audibly incoherant" or whatever.

Speedy Hawk · 12-22-2011, 06:03 PM

There probably no word for it and probably have to do very short explain.

deafdyke · 12-22-2011, 09:09 PM

Still maybe there needs to be a term for it. It is going to become very rare
When I think voice off, I think " Deaf person who ONLY signs" and doesn't even have hearing aids or CIs at ALL.

Sunshine · 12-22-2011, 09:15 PM

I use voice-off. Fit best.

Sunshine · 12-22-2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deafdyke

Still maybe there needs to be a term for it. It is going to become very rare
When I think voice off, I think " Deaf person who ONLY signs" and doesn't even have hearing aids or CIs at ALL.

Me too

**saywhatkid** · 12-22-2011, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunshine

I use voice-off. Fit best.

I agree, and I will use "voice off" also.

**Cheetah** · 12-22-2011, 10:21 PM

Why am I having visions of the three monkeys?

Hear no evil
Speak no evil
See no evil

I wonder if some see mute as implying something negative (like the monkeys).

I think "deaf" is sufficient. Usually people are surprised when a deaf person wants to speak for themselves so no qualifier for speech is really needed.

kokonut · 12-22-2011, 11:27 PM

Saying "mute" is usually an indication of a person who is *unable* to use his/her voice to communicate rather than it to mean choosing not to use one's voice to communicate when one can do so anyway.

**Beowulf** · 12-22-2011, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokonut

Saying "mute" is usually an indication of a person who is *unable* to use his/her voice to communicate rather than it to mean choosing not to use one's voice to communicate when one can do so anyway.

A mute is someone born without vocal cords.

**Cheetah** · 12-22-2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beowulf

A mute is someone born without vocal cords.

Is a mime without hands mute??? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

**Beowulf** · 12-22-2011, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheetah

Is a mime without hands mute??? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

Not if "love" is there.

flip · 12-23-2011, 03:31 AM

From mute - definition of mute by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

Quote:

Usage Note: In reference to people who are unable to speak, mute and deaf-mute are now often considered objectionable. The offense is due not only to the bluntness of these terms but also to the implication that a person who is incapable of oral speech is necessarily deprived of the use of language. In fact, many deaf people today communicate naturally and fully through the use of a sign language such as ASL, and no one who has witnessed such a conversation would ever think to call the participants mute.

Can understand above, but deaf mute still ok with me.

It's a quick way to explain people depedent on spoken language that you aren't going to use voice with them, instead of appear rude when saying "I can speak, but don't want to use voice with you", or lie and say "I can't speak". Mute for me means that my natural state is voice off. Deaf voice off also ok, but harder for hearing people to gasp?

Can we turn "deaf mute" into something positive, perhaps into a rejection of the importance of speech, instead of explaining that "mute" is wrong from a linguistic perspective. Or would speech loving people, hoh, deaf or hearing, object that idea?

flip · 12-23-2011, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheetah

Why am I having visions of the three monkeys?

Hear no evil
Speak no evil
See no evil

I wonder if some see mute as implying something negative (like the monkeys).

I think "deaf" is sufficient. Usually people are surprised when a deaf person wants to speak for themselves so no qualifier for speech is really needed.

Yes, but what about deaf people with CI who still hate to use speech, or can't? Some families have high expectations to CI. Deaf mute/voice off with CI could clarify and lessen some burdens for those?

AlleyCat · 12-23-2011, 06:06 AM

I've never been a fan of the word mute. I can't explain why. Guess it just feels "negative" to me, but that's just me. I like the term voice-off much better although I understand the meanings behind the two words are different.

12-22-2011, 03:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
mbrek Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,512 Blog Entries: 1	Sounds like splitting hairs... __________________ Sarcasm - just another little service I offer.

12-22-2011, 04:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
saywhatkid Emerging from the sun Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: In space Posts: 7,242 Blog Entries: 2	What is the preferred term? Is there one? At some point, someone somewhere might need to mention "Hey, this person does not speak." Do we try for "this person does not speak" or "vocally impaired" or what? deafdyke and Grummer like this. __________________ "Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." ~ Mother Teresa

12-22-2011, 04:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
mbrek Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,512 Blog Entries: 1	^^^ __________________ Sarcasm - just another little service I offer.

12-22-2011, 05:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Speedy Hawk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: England Posts: 816	Deaf-mute is much better to use than Deaf-dumb. Deaf-mute rarely being used. I know some can't speak at all, when someone ask me about them I just say (sign if terp there or paper and pen) they Deaf and full BSL user. __________________ Free Jillio!!

12-22-2011, 05:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
mbrek Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,512 Blog Entries: 1	^^^I agree. Dumb has such different meaning now. But mute? So on my tv, will I be pressing the "vocally challenged" button? Give me a break! __________________ Sarcasm - just another little service I offer.

Today
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12-22-2011, 05:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
mbrek Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,512 Blog Entries: 1	We'll all need bigger remotes just to accommodate the current PC verbage on the button. Sheesh! kellycat likes this. __________________ Sarcasm - just another little service I offer.

12-22-2011, 05:33 PM	#14 (permalink)
deafdyke Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Trebekistan Posts: 13,093	What about voice off? There is the term nonverbal, but that is used for people with severe or profound mental handicap who cannot speak. BecLak, Sunshine and kellycat like this.

12-22-2011, 05:43 PM	#16 (permalink)
mbrek Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,512 Blog Entries: 1	^^^It doesn't sound optional? I always thought that voice-off was a choice. __________________ Sarcasm - just another little service I offer.

12-22-2011, 06:03 PM	#18 (permalink)
Speedy Hawk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: England Posts: 816	There probably no word for it and probably have to do very short explain. __________________ Free Jillio!!

12-22-2011, 09:09 PM	#19 (permalink)
deafdyke Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Trebekistan Posts: 13,093	Still maybe there needs to be a term for it. It is going to become very rare When I think voice off, I think " Deaf person who ONLY signs" and doesn't even have hearing aids or CIs at ALL.

12-22-2011, 09:15 PM	#20 (permalink)
Sunshine Banned Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Home of Canucks! Posts: 3,269 Blog Entries: 2	I use voice-off. Fit best. BecLak likes this.

12-22-2011, 10:21 PM	#23 (permalink)
Cheetah Cheetah Consulting-Closed Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,694	Why am I having visions of the three monkeys? Hear no evil Speak no evil See no evil I wonder if some see mute as implying something negative (like the monkeys). I think "deaf" is sufficient. Usually people are surprised when a deaf person wants to speak for themselves so no qualifier for speech is really needed. BecLak likes this.

12-22-2011, 11:27 PM	#24 (permalink)
kokonut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 15,348	Saying "mute" is usually an indication of a person who is unable to use his/her voice to communicate rather than it to mean choosing not to use one's voice to communicate when one can do so anyway. __________________ Before AD. After AD. "Restriction on free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us." -Thurgood Marshall, former Supreme Court Justice "... turns out they are telling the truth."

12-23-2011, 06:06 AM	#30 (permalink)
AlleyCat Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In my time zone Posts: 10,827	I've never been a fan of the word mute. I can't explain why. Guess it just feels "negative" to me, but that's just me. I like the term voice-off much better although I understand the meanings behind the two words are different. deafdyke and Cheetah like this.

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