Recently I was working with my ten-year-old son Merlin on his typing course. The goal is to learn to type blind with ten fingers-because this is a valuable skill for his future. Frankly, it’s a challenge; the program requires you to complete all exercises within a certain amount of time and with minimal errors before you can move on. This lack of immediate feedback on exactly what is going wrong and how to do better is demotivating for both Merlin and me.
During one of the sessions, the word “deaf and dumb” appeared as a practice word. This got me thinking, since “deaf and dumb” is a term that is thankfully being used less and less-and rightly so. The word has a negative connotation and is considered inappropriate these days.
The origin of the term ‘deaf-mute’
Historically, the term “deaf-mute” was used to describe people who were both deaf and unable to speak. In the past, it was assumed that people who were born deaf were also unable to speak because they had never heard the spoken language. This led to the assumption that deafness equaled muteness. The term already appeared in ancient legal texts such as the Codex Hammurabi around 1700 BC and in Greek writings from the seventh century BC.
Why ‘deaf and dumb’ is no longer appropriate
Today we know that deafness does not equal the inability to speak. Many deaf people, with proper support and training, can learn to speak. Moreover, the term “dumb” in Dutch has a double meaning; it can mean both “unable to speak” and “stupid. This contributes to the stigma and misconception that deaf people would also be intellectually limited, which is absolutely not the case.
In addition, the term “deaf” ignores the existence and value of sign language as a means of communication in its own right. Deaf people have their own rich culture and language, and the use of sign language enables them to communicate fully and effectively.
Appropriate terminology
Instead of “deaf-mute,” it is respectful and accurate to use terms such as “deaf” or “hard of hearing. These terms specifically describe hearing ability without negative connotations. It is important to recognize that communication can occur in a variety of ways and that sign language is a language in its own right.
The impact of language on perception
The words we use shape our perception of the world around us. Using outdated and negative terms can help perpetuate stereotypes and prejudices. By using conscious and respectful terminology, we contribute to a more inclusive society where everyone is treated equally.
And that’s what we learned today….
And that’s what we learned today with the typing class: the word “deaf”. A word Merlin had never heard of before! And now we’re off to email the owner of the typing program!
Conclusion
The incident with Merlin’s typing class has reminded me how important it is to be intentional about the language we use. Avoiding terms such as “deaf” and embracing respectful and accurate terminology helps promote understanding and inclusion for deaf and hard of hearing people in our society.
