Talk:Deaf-mute
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It is FACT that the term "deaf-mute" some users tend to use in wikipedia, is an offensive term for us in our world. We have language and culture. Have you ever considered someone as "hearing-mute" in your world, huh? Do you know what is the synonym of deaf-mute? It is "deaf-and-dumb", which is pretty self-explanatory. We will be very appreciative if you refrain from using that term from now on. Please use "Deaf" with D as capital letter instead to describe or to refer us.
It will make us proud and it will give the idea that it is nothing wrong with being Deaf.
While I understand your point, Wikipedia is not a soapbox. Furthermore, 'deaf' should not be capitalized as it is an adjective, not a proper noun. If we capitalize Deaf just because it is an important identifier in deaf culture, then we might as well capitalize Gay and Liberal and any other number of adjectives that people think are important. Joey 17:06, 2 April 2006 (UTC)
Actually Deaf can be a proper noun, just as Irish and Rastafarian. Deaf with a capital D refers to the "culturally deaf" and deaf with a small d refers to the "audologically deaf." The "culturally deaf" have chosen to be referred to as Deaf; please respect their wishes. Mike.lifeguard 15:05, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
[edit] the deaf communities progess since 1970
[edit] C&P from Deaf mute
A deaf mute is someone who has both deafness and the inability to speak. In some cases the muteness is due to lack of attempting language (since language is more difficult to master when deaf), or due to a separate disorder.
The phrase is used in The Catcher in the Rye to indicate someone who does not speak their mind, and hears nothing, in effect becoming isolated from the world. It is also a key statement reiterated by Laughing Man in the anime Ghost in the Shell.
