Chevy57

Deaf and Dumb schools were in late 1800's and early 1900's

Quiz: How to sign "deaf and dumb"?

Deafness

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~♥~Pinky~♥~

You talking about History? I learned from Deaf Studies class. I personally not like that word say Deaf and Dumb or Deaf for Dumb. I thought it's offensive. It's my opinion.

Chevy57

Ask question what sign for it. I will check someone s correct sign to answer.

Bottesini

Sign for deaf and dumb is actually index finger from ear to mouth.

The sign for deaf is really " ear+closed"

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Chevy57

dumb?

Bottesini

When it reaches the mouth that is the indication of dumb as in "no speech"

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Chevy57

You are prefect!!! You got A++++. I know that Almost deafiies have confused that dumb means "S" on forehead.

Bottesini

Thanks! I am glad to have passed your test!

Will there be a prize?

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Bebonang

The word for Deaf and Dumb back in the old days. I learned that it is suppose to be use your finger like number one from ear to mouth for Deaf and for the Dumb you close your hand like a alphabet A and hit your forehead. We did not like this term for Deaf and Dumb. But that is what the hearing people call us like that.

Chevy57

I will send chocolate bars to you soon.

~♥~Pinky~♥~

Yeah, I agree with Botti. I remember the word. It's offensive by hearing people. Because not want to hear a word and speech. Several people called deaf with sign language is dumb. They don't understand about sign language to communicate instead of speak and hear.

~♥~Pinky~♥~

Is that sign for Dumb "S" on forehead? How about "A" on forehead? I saw the people use 2 different letter sign.

Bottesini

That sign though on forehead means "stupid" It is different from the "dumb" sign at mouth that only means no speech.

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Chevy57

Yes. All schools s name had changed from "deaf and dumb" to "deaf" since late 1940's or early 1950's

Chevy57

Right. Deaf and dumb means deaf-mute

~♥~Pinky~♥~

Yeah it's deaf - mute.

Anij

yep - "DEAF" + "NOT+TALK" ... or at least here that's how we sign it

what's the prize???

AlleyCat

I was wondering about that too. I've always used the "A" to indicate "dumb" (as in dumb, not as in mute.)

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netrox

Dumb has always meant as slow or low intelligence, mute means lack of speech.

I believe that the sign you were talking about is more of deaf-mute, not deaf-dumb.

Deaf-dumb is inaccurate as it implies that low intelligence comes with deafness. Deaf-mute is inaccurate as it implies deaf people cannot speak.

If you cannot speak, then you're mute. No offense should be taken to that.

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faire_jour

WRONG!

dumb - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

It comes from a root word meaning to be unable to speak.

Bebonang

Wow, that is a new meaning for the word "dumb" coming from a dictionary. Maybe the author of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary have a second thought about that word "dumb" from stupid to unable to speak. Very interesting!

David

This is a shock! What's even more of a shock is that Oxford Dictionaries verified this!

Anij

?
No - the poster who mentioned the the original meaning of the word "dumb" meaning unable to speak is correct - but it meant that ove a hundred years ago...over time dumb started to be connected to meaning "dumb people" (non-speaking people) were unintelligent because they were unable to speak. This associate in words continued until the meaning of dumb no longer primarily meant unable to speak, but instead meant someone who was "stupid" or unintelligent.

We see this type of mutation of word meaning all the time ... just think of the word "cool" ... which used to primarily mean an indication of temperature - now the common usage of "cool" also means something that is "neat", "hip" etc.

Of course as the usage and meaning of words change we (people in general) have a responsibly to not only remind ourselves and others of the original meaning, but also correct improper connections, and culturally/socially/politically/morally offensive usage of the word when necessary. This is seen clearly the case of the word "dumb"

Bebonang

I am sorry for being blunt about the word "dumb". Would the OP and you forgive me for not thinking too clear on the idea of being stupid. Everyone of us have different ideas about the words that we misunderstand. You are absolutely right. Again I am sorry.

web730

Yeah, all it was mis-interpreted as a word (dumb) by the people for a long time till recent times.

Boy, am I glad that it was removed (deaf and dumb) altogether!

Buffalo

Yup, meaning of some words do change over time. I am old enough to remember that gay meant happy, not homosexual.

I also understood that in the past, dumb mean not able to speak because of the bible where few men were struck dumb. It had nothing to do with intelligent.

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Liza

How come don't they use mute instead of 'dumb'?

Brian