Wed 21 Feb 2007
(7:56) Why did i choose to label myself with this obsolete, presumedly negative, term “Deaf mute” in the banner introducing this v/blogsite? This vlog explains several reasons, but briefly in English:
Number one: a literal translation of the common sign for DEAF, the index finger covering the ear, then covering the mouth, is DEAF-MUTE…yes, that’s the root meaning, so literally many of us have been saying we are “Deaf mutes” proudly for a long time, smile.
Number two: For an oppressed group, it can be empowering to reclaim for themselves negative terms about that group. Queer and Dyke are degrading terms that have been reclaimed in empowering ways.
I have recently seen some other Deaf folks starting to reclaim the term “Deaf mute”…BUT only us can use that for ourselves. No no to the general public or media or professionals who continue not to understand us or look down on us…you do not yet know how to use “Deaf mute” properly.
So…watch with an open mind…and revisit our language (thus our way of thinking).
(Warning: this video clip is 8 mins long…tried to pare it down more…so I apologize for the length)
February 21st, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Bravo for your philosophy about the term “Deaf Mute”. You explained well the historical root of the sign. This is valid for the same sign in LSF. I am proud of being Deaf Mute !
Vive les Sourds-Muets !
Eric
February 21st, 2007 at 11:23 pm
“O brave new world, that hath such people in it.” Shakespeare in The Tempest
February 21st, 2007 at 11:33 pm
You have driven many excellent points home. I used to hate being called a deaf mute because I can’t speak orally at all. Depending solely on ASL & notepads for writing, many deaf people would mock me for not having any speaking skills. But not anymore after seeing your vlog tonite! No longer would I feel offended if anyone calls me a deaf mute! Completely nothing wrong being a deaf mute considering the good grammar skills I am blessed to have!
Endless thanks for your great analysis in depth regarding this term “deaf mute”! Please excuse me while I go off dancing on a rooftop signing “I am proud to be a deaf mute”!!!! Let’s hope the bad reputation surrounding this term will come to an end eventually!
A proud deaf mute
February 21st, 2007 at 11:40 pm
What an eye-opener vlog! The term Deaf-Mute doesn’t seem so negative to me any more…
My question to you is this:
“Queer” and “Dyke” are known to be negative by everyone in the first place, hence the necessary reclamation of these words to reduce some of the oppression.
“Deaf-Mute” is NOT known to be negative by most people. How can there be a reclamation of this word by us if hearing people don’t think of it as offensive in the first place?
February 21st, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Ella Mae Lentz,
What a interesting topic you brought up! You brought up and made few very good points. Even, I don’t agree with whole deaf-mute concept but it’s up to each individuals’ preference. My question is for you, what do you think the people like me are? or where does people like me fit? I am deaf but I don’t identity myself with culturally Deaf people or hard of hearing. But I do use sign language a lot with my fiance who is Deaf himself. I also use spoken language with majority of people because I just can also I have cochlear implant. I would just call myself “deaf.” So what do you think? Other than that, continue your good work! I really enjoy your vlogs! (We met at the conference at my college (UVSC) in Orem, Utah about 4 or 5 years ago, and we had a good discussion right after Harlan Lane’s talk. Maybe you don’t remember that. 🙂 )
February 22nd, 2007 at 3:33 am
Hi Ella,
My adopted father is a crime reporter for a newspaper. He feels that Deaf people are Deaf mutes, not because they are degraded or something negative. He made a point that we don’t speak and are heavy rely on American Sign Language.
When I was young, I hated the idea of the word “pink” for girls and “blue” for boys. My mom explained to me that we as women needed to embrace “Pink” and nurture it in positive way. We don’t need to have men come in and turns “pink” in negative. She also explained the same thing what you said about the queer.
I want to challenge here about something that might make some people angry with me for saying it.
It is ok for some Black people to call each other the word “N” but it is not ok for outside from Black community to use this word. It is a mixed message. I feel it is applied to Deaf Mute. It is not ok for outside of Deaf community to call us Deaf mute but it is ok for us to call each other Deaf Mute.
The gay community accepts outside of Gay community calling them “queer”. It made a sense.
I need time to think and to analyze about using the word “Deaf Mute”.
But thank you for bringing it up.
TIP: As a filmmaker, I suggest people to try not overusing dissolve when they edit a video. Dissolve is for a time change from a day to day or from a few hours to a few hours. I suggest people to play with different transition effects.
I promise that people will enjoy them and will make look good on the video.
Aidan
February 22nd, 2007 at 4:37 am
Ella!
I DO Still LOVE YOU no matter who you are!
To let you know that there was a name of Oral Deaf School for the Deaf Mutes here in my city long time ago but they did removed “Mutes” out in the late 1960s in history!
SKE
February 22nd, 2007 at 5:45 am
Agree with you! Deaf-Mute is normal as human being!
February 22nd, 2007 at 6:17 am
I jumped with joy that I was able to watch your second vlog on the topic of “Deaf Mute.” I have been thinking about it since I read Katherine Jankowski’s book, “Deaf Empowerment: Emergence, Struggle, and Rhetoric.” She mentions that in late 1800s or early 1900s in the hierarchy of power in the Deaf community, the deaf mutes were on the top and those who were deaf and spoke were ranked secondly. Very interesting. Yes, I don’t mind calling myself a deaf mute. How about Deaf Mute?
Hugs,
Kanny
February 22nd, 2007 at 6:39 am
Very interesting! Your presentation is very powerful! It is time for us to challenge your presentation. Pah to see someone like you challenge us! Keep up the good work, Ella Mae!
February 22nd, 2007 at 7:08 am
Dear Ella Mae:
Thanks for the food for thought! I’ve been a high school English teacher at The Learning Center for 11 years now, and not only is the content of your post interesting but also its form–I’d just challenged my Advanced Placement Literature class to think about what an “essay” would look like in good ASL–how its form might differ from that of an essay in English. I think the emerging vlogs are going to be a good way for them to look at this question. Yours is certainly one I’ll be showing them, both for its form AND its content.
Best wishes and good luck in your vlog adventures–
Karen
February 22nd, 2007 at 7:48 am
It takes me a long time to get used the words QUEER, FAGGOT, DYKE… Young people use these words alot. Same for Mute.. It may take a while to accept the word again. Sometimes I use the word MUTE. I can see Deaf people faces when I fingerspell MUTE. I would never never never use the word in the hearing community. Glad you said it to justify my feeling…inside me, I often use the word MUTE but afraid of people upsetting with me. Often I fingerspell MUTE with careful expression. Now I can use MUTE freely. You will see me with the word MUTE often from now on. Thanks!!
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:43 am
Ella!
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Now I consider myself a Deaf Mute!
Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to hear this wonderful gospel about Deaf Mute.
Respond to #6. it IS offensive for non-gay person to call gay “queer”. Within black community, it’s okay for them to call themselves “n-word”. There’s no mixed messages here. As long as you’re a member of one community, it is critical that you call others with that name in respect.
thanks for hearing me out…
I’m a proud Deaf Mute Queer! :o)
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:47 am
Bravo, Ella! Question: what do you sugggest for those of us who are not fortunate enough to be Deaf… but who cherish SIGN and prefer visual to spoken language in our daily lives? We are stuck hearing and talking with those non-signers around us who expect us to live in their world and communicate their way. For us, signing is a treasured gift and we seek out others who communicate visually to sustain our spirits and live fully each day. Must we remain STUCK with the label HEARING! Lumped together with all those ignorant of the beauty and efficacy of signed languages? May we not choose to call ourselves SEMI-MUTE? Semi-mutes of the world, stand up and be proud!
February 22nd, 2007 at 10:02 am
Hello,
I am glad that Ella raised a good topic to discuss. We must be careful with what we see and how we think. Not every book is true so we must be careful which book we believe and don’t believe. Don’t be gullible. Be a critical thinker.
Queer means strange. It is not a problem for people to reclaim it.
(I spoke to my friends who are gay, they said they depends on how people say it. They said that it is not considered as a Political Correct.)
Dykes means women who wish to be men or too tough. It is no problem for some Lesbian women to reclaim it.
Fag: It means that the sticks that get together in order to start the fire. Gay people were burning to death.
Mute: It means Deaf people can’t express or doesn’t have a voice box to speak.
Ella- What about Deaf and Dumb? What are the difference between Deaf Dumb and Deaf Mute?
Again, please be a critical thinker. We don’t follow people to jump out of the building without looking down to see if there is a safe place to land.
Aidan
February 22nd, 2007 at 10:08 am
Glad that you brought it up. I have been calling myself a deaf mute in last few years because that’s who I am. If you can’t speak, how do you define that? Mute, that’s it. I got offended by federal govt who labeled me as speech impairment and hearing impairment so I told them that I am deaf and MUTE, not any impairment. I believe that I was chosen to be a deaf mute as I was not born with any impairment.
February 22nd, 2007 at 10:17 am
I absolutely agree. I don’t have a doctorate in English or Linguistic but I know that ‘mute’ is not always as a negative word but it describes he sound of unspoken or silence. Look at the TV remoter; there is a button for mute. We have choices. Hearies hit the button when they answer the phone. We, Deaf Mutes push it; we don’t want our neighbors who might think we are faking them, save it from confusion, and so on whatever your reason is.
Anyway, the words like mute or dumb can be used as slang or bad name. In any language, the vocabulary could be evolved or borrowed for a different meaning for a metaphorical approach or even insulting. That is human nature of looking down or slurring but we correct them that the behaviors or attitudes are not accepted.
Like you said, we are proud to be mutes. There are many reasons; one of them is the sensational part on our heritage.
Before the infamous Milan Conference, everyone, deaf are hearing, who used ASL, shut their mouths or seal lips. They were taught or trained not to mouth the words when they signed. Mouthing was a bad manner, ungraceful. It was true; I have researched and found it in the article as said by the former superintendent of Illinois School for the Deaf, Dr. Gillette when he confronted Abraham Graham Bell in one of the heavy debates on whether or not the Deaf should be taught orally.
One day, when I was in Gallaudet University Archive for the same research for my mural project now hanged in The Learning Center in Farmingham, MA, late Gilbert Eastman walked in during his break from the TV studio doing the Deaf Mosaic as host with heavy makeup on his face. He excitedly shared with us in the room his theory apparently just appeared in his head how we got the sign for ‘deaf’ with the index finger pointing to ear and mouth.
In the early 19th century, the Deaf schools used to have the name such as Ohio Institute for the Deaf and Dumb. Dumb meant not speaking or unable to speak before it evolved as something like stupidity or retarded. They signed ‘dumb’ simply for non-speaking like we do sign today for “shh” or “hush” with our index finger up on the lips. So Gil said, they used to sign their school name… for Deaf and Dumb [index finger pointing ear while shaking head for no or don’t + ‘and’ + index finger up on lips like “shh”] Years later, they dropped the sign for ‘and’ for a better and natural flow. We have the sign almost unchanged ever since. Of course the word of dumb removed from paper or sign that later unfitted the new definition of the word but they didn’t omit the sign “shh”. Today, we sign it with the finger pointing to ear end of jaw and to almost middle of the jaw under the lips.
I found the nice black and white photo of lovely Gallaudet female student in the turn of century as a model showing the sign (“shh”). On the bottom of picture the ink was written, “Silence” When I saw it I was moved. I selected it to include in the mural with other 200 picuturs around the room.
Silence is golden, one can say more by being silent__ hush while you sign.
We love you, Ella!
February 22nd, 2007 at 11:56 am
Dr. Ella Lentz!
You are one of few true scholars who really thinks, or has a mind of her own, instead of following what other people with Ph.D. say! I have witnessed the Tower of Babel since 1985s. It is quite taxing to see some people live with pretensions or being in a state of denial. Or deliberately repress senso comune in regard to the term, mute, for that matter. “Deaf-mute” is not a dirty term per se. Practically all my life have I made as humanly as possible a gesture to hearing people by pointing at my ear and then at my lips to indicate that I can neither hear nor speak — deaf-mute, for short. Mute, in Latin, means silence. Therefore, silence is not a degrading term. Then I would use PP (pen and paper) in English! How do hearing people respond to my gesture, “cannothearspeak”, as well as to my note in English. They literally bow and thank me in a most respectful manner. Now they see with their own eyes that albeit being unable to speak or hear a deaf-mute person still can read and write in English! I am deaf; therefore, I am disabled. Actually, “Disabled” is not a dirty word either. Disability is not as synymous as inability. See la différence: Whereas inability means the lack of skills, disability means something phsyical that does not function.
February 22nd, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Hi Ella, its interesting about the word “deaf mute”. A few months ago I was working with a deaf boy in a mainstreamed setting, one day, he was screaming loudly in the cafeteria as he got the wrong lunch, anyway, one teacher’s assistant said to me, “I thought he is deaf-mute! I didn’t realize he could use his voice. I could hear him screaming. My godness!” Her statement threw me off as I was surprised at her way of thinking that many deaf people could not use their voice. She also thought deaf people’s voice box was not working. So I am not sure if it is a good idea to use the word deaf mute becuz of the very same reason I mentioned above. Our voice box works, it is just that we don’t use it.
February 22nd, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I think Deaf people in the past objected to “mute” because it carries the meaning of “can’t talk”
and hearies, when they hear of “deaf mute” might think, “can’t hear, can’t talk”
and “can’t talk” = can’t communicate
and can’t communicate = ASL not valid language
that kind of thing.
Just my 2 cents
February 22nd, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Quite interesting!
According to Wikipedia, for the word “mute”:
—-
Muteness is a speech disorder in which a person lacks the power of speech, or chooses not to speak.
Those who are physically mute may have problems with the parts of the Human body required for speech (The throat, vocal cords, lungs, mouth, or tongue, etc.), or if a person is born severely deaf, they will be unable to learn how to speak.
A person can be born mute, or become mute later in life as a result of accidents or exposure to certain chemicals, or even choose to become avowedly mute
—-
I guess it would be a long road to try to educate the world that being mute is not necessarily a disorder, but a personal choice. Choosing not to speak is considered a disorder. Oh please. Somebody needs to fix that.
Sometimes one may choose a different path of least resistance (e.g., not using “mute”) and instead put the energy in different things in life. It is all up to the beliefs, passions, and desires of that person.
Ella, you did a wonderful job. I, and I know others, always enjoy watching you sign (for your message itself) and you sign (just signing itself).
February 22nd, 2007 at 7:37 pm
When I first visited your blogsite I had to smile when I saw “deaf-mute.”
I remember one time when Ben Bahan visited my class at Gallaudet as a guest lecturer. He spoke about the term “queer” and how the gay community reclaimed the term as their own.
Now the English word “deaf” is problematic because in ASL it has an entirely different meaning. To English speaking hearies, deaf is a medical condition so despite all explanations re: Deaf culture, ASL, and the community, hearies will alway have the medical definition in their head.
So Bahan suggested perhaps we should seek for a different way of labelling ourselves. That was back in 1998 and it made me think. Eventually I decided, darn it there’s nothing wrong with being a Deaf-Mute. I am one and I’m not embarrassed of my identity.
It’s nice to see there are others who agree. Excellent vlog and wow about 36 hours before your visit down here in San Diego!
February 22nd, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Ah I overlooked comment #21. Of course, you are correct, Jay – it would require re-educating others. However look at the term “deaf” as it is defined in the English language (courtesy of http://www.m-w.com) – “lacking or deficient in the sense of hearing.”
So we already need to re-educate hearies of how we as Deaf people define the term “Deaf.” It’s not like we had it easy in the first place! 😉
Jared, (comment #4), the term “deaf-mute” is already considered offensive. I was told repeatedly by hearies growing up that it’s a bad word for deaf people and that we should only use “deaf.” According to http://www.m-w.com, ‘deaf-mute’ means: “often offensive : a deaf person who cannot speak.” Note the wording “often offensive.”
February 23rd, 2007 at 9:21 am
A stronger and perhaps more apt expression of ironic self-depreciation would be “deaf and dumb”, and this can carry some humor. I got people to laugh, when I tease a hearing person “I am deaf and you are dumb, for you don’t speak sign language.” They will recognize that the terms for the inability to speak, ‘mute’ or ‘dumb’, are unnecessary, inappropriate, and indeed [bold]audistic[/bold].
There was someone in the 19th century, named Joseph Mount, who called himself “The Merry Mute”. He wrote a poem carrying that title.
Why should one conceive communication and language to occur in the oral-aural mode [bold]only[/bold]?! That is exactly where audism comes from! Why must one lay too much focus on the oral mode of communication to label someone as being unable to speak, communicate, to think, and to do some work requiring language and intelligence? Audism is in fact a label for a mindset and attitudes that overvalue hearing and speech. Discriminations and oppression of sign language and being Deaf all follow from this mindset, however innocent and unintended it may be. It can be thought as a racism against deaf and hard-of-hearing people. This shows up in languages where a single term for the inability to speak exists. Observe, our sign languages can be said to be less “audistic”, where there is no sign for “mute in sign language”.
The goal for any activity toward reducing audism should be toward establishing in the society a value relativism in terms of hearing and speaking. In this vein, we can advocate that hearing and speaking is good, equally good to not hearing and not speaking and using a visual-manual language. There should be no place for the term ‘mute/dumb’ in the language to mean “unable to speak” The figurative use with the meaning “dumb founded”, “scared shitless”, or “stupid” can apply to the use of sign language as well. In the final analysis, the word will mean “unable to say (orally or manually) momentarily” or “unable to communicate at all”, nothing else. Only extremely few cannot really communicate due to some organic dysfunction in the brain. The word should eventually loose the meaning for inability to speak, at least among ourselves, if we use that way consistently.
Also, I see no problem with using the term ‘mute’ out of irony to remind the audistic world that the term is deplaced, seeing the “mute” person is capable of eloquence. Important here is that irony has to come across, not as a description of own inability to speak. But as a serious label of identity, I view it still as not appropriate. Also inappropriate to describe a person’s inability to speak orally. If necessary, use better “I cannot speak” or “I don’t speak (with modifiers: well, orally, with his/her mouth or similarly)”. Also, you can use more frequently the word ‘speak’ (and other similar terms) in the figurative sense, as in “I speak sign language.” This helps reduce the audism in the English language.
Sorry for the length of this article.
February 23rd, 2007 at 10:06 am
Wow! The Age of Reasoning and the Age of Enlightment in Deaf America in the millennium!
On a serious note, it is interesting to note two things about deaf American signers. Firstly, they are extremely unhappy about the term, “mute,” whilst
it is absolutebloody true that they cannot speak. It goes to show that they want to tell the world that they can speak. But, if they try to speak, they would sound Greek to the listener.
Secondly, the stress of a sign for “deaf” used by deaf European signers is much more intensifying and powerful than that of an index finger used by deaf American signers. Deaf Europeans’ “U” handshape that moves from the ear to the mouth emphasizes
“silence” whereas deaf Americans mouth
“deaf” as they sign “Deaf”.
Time for you to get a copyright for coining a term, “Reclaiming Deaf Mute” now and write to the NAD!
Jean, La Sourde et Muette
February 23rd, 2007 at 10:18 am
I completely agree with the notion of a certain culture reclaiming negative terms about its members. However, like Jared, I am somehow reluctant about embracing “deaf-mute”. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of saying, damn right, I can’t articulate English sounds (or sounds of any other language) but I can express myself through other means and I am proud of it. I am just concerned that this term may divide our community. As we all know, each Deaf person has his/her unique communication styles/abilities. Some Deaf people cannot hear a peep but have perfectly understandable speech. They just choose to use ASL. Others are not as into the Deaf world but cannot speak to save their lives. I just don’t want a sub-group of Deafies rejecting those who can actually talk just because they can through the use of this term.
February 23rd, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Hi Ella,
You’re on a roll! I am so glad to see your passion and energy finally coming out in your vlogs/blogs.
I do wonder how the term Deaf-mute can be used without creating divisions within the Deaf community. I can see how it might become an elitist or exclusionary term, almost like the big D/small d controversy. From my perspective, using Deaf to describe all members of our community is the best way to go, because it includes everyone and reflects the fact that we are people with a unique language and culture. I’m not sure where we would be going if we start using Deaf-mute to describe a specific group of Deaf people. It seems contrary to the Deafhood theme of inclusion.
Maybe you have a different interpretation of this. I’d like to know more about how you use the term Deaf-mute.
I’m not quite sure that reclaiming Deaf-mute is the same as reclaiming queer. Queer is more inclusive – not only lesbian and gay people can call themselves queer, but so can bi and transgendered people. But Deaf-mute? Can I call myself that? It seems strange, since I can speak. So, are you saying that only Deaf people who don’t speak should reclaim Deaf-mute? Or are you saying that from a political perspective, all Deaf people, including those who use their voices, should reclaim Deaf-mute?
I think this is a really interesting topic! Something I definitely would like to explore more with you.
February 23rd, 2007 at 10:57 pm
#14
You raise an interesting issue. I don’t think “semi-mute” is a good term for hearing people who choose to use ASL. However, we need to try to create more openness in situations involving hearing people using ASL between themselves.
I’m thinking of situations where deaf people are present. Hearing people should feel 100% free to sign ASL with each other (i.e. turn off voice.) Why not? That way everyone can participate.
I hate it when I am in a mixed group and hearing people feel obligated to use their voices with each other. Why? It’s not necessary if the hearing people are fluent in ASL.
My best ASL teacher years ago was a CODA (Bunny K.), and she felt totally comfortable signing ASL with me when I visited her in her office–just the two of us (turning off voices). Why not? She was my foreign language teacher. I wanted to learn.
Last May during the protest at Gallaudet it was easier to sign ASL all the time. Many times there were strangers who were hearing. I had no idea until we already chatted for a few minutes. Then we thought, “Oh, we are both hearing?” Smiled, and we kept on signing. Who cares? It provides more open access in an ASL environment with deaf people all around.
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Cuttin’ edge. **grin** What’s that saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?” However, I must second the issue Sharon raised in #27… What ABOUT those of us who are Deaf and use speech? This is a good discussion. Love it. Raise the discourse level.
SkyBlue
February 24th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Ella Mae!
Powerful words, simply powerful. I would love to translate this into english transcript and show explain it to my hearing friends. Just powerful. wow.
I’m surprised at how many people disagreed with you posting all these vlogs–crazy ass time for me to be translating all these (yours i feel i dunno, i would do your vlog insult if i tried to transcript it. Your ASL is too beautiful and I know you already have exquistite English counterparts).
This issue has prompted me into doing another vlog!
much loves,
Der Sankt
PS. Stay with your philosophy. Stay with it. Galileo Galilee is remembered for saying the world is round–the world knows the church was stupid and wrong for disagreeing. History will give you justice.
February 25th, 2007 at 6:46 am
Ella,
Lovely lovely vlog. Wonderful that you bring up this challenge.
Is there a way to respond to this via video? Writing doesn’t quite convey what I want to respond.
Two things I do want to say: The gravity idea, the idea that deaf-mutes hold together the whole deafhood world is just repeating the same 4 circles of deaf community first published in Cokely/Baker’s “green book”; this diagram implied that the ‘core deaf’ (the area where the four circles intersect) is the only legitimate deaf community. Everyone else is on fringe. I never liked this, never liked the idea of pushing people who have speech abilities, or pushing CODA’s, or those who have “deaf in heart” towards the fringe. This is far from the reality. I know of many hard of hearing people who EMBRACE deafhood (in fact, are faculty members in Deaf Studies programs, in interpreter training programs, even at Gallaudet!) so bashing them is counter productive.
I support your efforts to define deafhood and to reclaim deaf mute. I think there is…. I’m stuck here because I cannot put into words what I could easily describe in ASL. Sorry. Wish technology would allow us to respond via video instead of words!
February 25th, 2007 at 10:49 am
A most provocative idea and responses! I thought about this years ago, when I pondered the ASL sign (pointer at ear, then to mouth): what it REALLY means. I traveled to several states and gave many presentations, always describing myself by using the classic sign, and caught myself wondering….what was my interpreter signing when I made that sign? I asked several interpreters, “What word [voice translation] are you using when I make this sign?” They all said “Deaf.” But the gloss “deaf” doesn’t completely explain who I am. I’m a Deaf man who doesn’t use his voice. So the correct gloss of that sign should be “deaf-mute.” I am actually a deaf-mute.
And here I’ve been, investing considerable effort, into dissuading hearing people from using that term! Through “DEAF LIFE,” Deaf Life Press books, my presentations, I have consistently told readers and audiences NOT to use the term “deaf-mute,” that it’s outmoded and insulting, that it promotes the view that deaf people are less capable than hearing people, and CAN’T talk (instead of choosing NOT to use our voices).
I am well aware that before Gallaudet University was called “Gallaudet College,” it was known as “National Deaf-Mute College.” Predating that, there was the Institut National des Jeune Sourds-Muets, which roughly translates “National Institute for Young Deaf-Mutes.”
George Veditz, for one, in his steadfast opposition to oralism and the oralists, used the term “deaf-mute” as a badge of pride. But it was the influence of the oralists that turned “deaf-mute” into a negative label. They wanted to make the deaf speak, forsaking their sign language, thereby un-deaf-muting them.
I agree that this “reclamation project” is something we should look into and discuss in depth.
It reminds me of the disability advocate who prefers the term “cripple” to the kinder, gentler “handicapped” and “disabled”…because, she has written,”it makes people uncomfortable.” We have far too many euphemisms in currency: “physically challenged,” “mentally challenged,” and those charming euphemisms applied to deaf people: “hearing-impaired” and “persons with the disability of deafness.” It’s time to put a term into currency that reflects what WE call ourselves…something that represents our own perceptions and reality, instead of a distorted, deodorized, whitewashed, polite Hearing-society view.
Thank you for reopening the issue!
I know in my heart that ASL is a divine gift…a blessing from God. It’s our duty to cherish and preserve it.
Matthew S. Moore
Publisher, “DEAF LIFE”
February 25th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
In UK, we, deaf people, find mute or dumb very offensive!
Mute means:
aphasiac, aphasic, aphonic, dumb, inarticulate, muffled, mum, quiet, silenced, silent, speechless, tongue-tied, tongueless, unexpressed, unpronounced, unsounded, unspeaking, unspoken, voiceless, wordless
We are not that kind of people! We can communciate so are not mute!
February 25th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Hi Ella
that hit my mind ur right and need check more about deaf mute and i always say deaf close sign fingers chin move hands close thats mean deaf mutes smile thank you for show your feel i am agree your speak ok thanks Angel
February 25th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
You made strong points, however – don’t forget the important point of the use of that term.
Whenever a hearing person uses that term, they think of us as below them, in other words – subhumans. It still stings me whenever I see this filthy term.
I personally prefer not to use this “Deaf-M***” label as a Deaf person, because eventually the mainstream media will get a wind of this, and start using it to label us on a regular basis. Even if we object to it, they won’t think much of it IF we use it ourselves.
Sadly, to the hearing world, Deaf rights matter very little or none at all compared to the rights of other minorities.
And let me point something else out. In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, there are several entries to define the word “mute” – but one caught my eye that makes me reconsider the reemergence of this degenerative term.
Look up mute [adjective], entry number 3: “remaining silent, undiscovered, or unrecognized”.
THAT totally goes against the very principle of what we stand as a people. We are here to be HEARD, DISCOVERED, and most importantly of all; to be RECOGNIZED as a culture and people.
And unable to speak? Oh, please… we DO speak, just in our own language. Who says “speak” means to communicate with your vocal chords?? Look in the dictionary and you will see that “speak” means more than just manipulating your vocal chords to express thoughts and ideas.
Seriously, the debate of taking back a term to destroy its degenerative properties is bogus. It still is hurtful, depending on who uses it and the intention behind its use. As long as people intend to use it hurtfully, it is still a term to be avoided at all costs.
Using it will just encourage its abuse, and we will find ourselves back to square one all over again. And we don’t need to fight to stop its use all over again!
Again, great debate on your behalf, Ella!
February 25th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
I often wonder what Deaf people had named themselves if they had a chance. The sign DEAF-MUTE looks to me as an incorporation of a lable that hearing people (educators maybe) used to describe this group of people with this specific trait. Deaf people do “speak”. They speak ASL, just as you speak English, French, Spanish etc. When Deaf people speak they use a different set of tools than people who speak languages using sound. Hearing people love to describe Deaf related events as “silent”. ASL is not silent. It translates into meaning in your brain just as any language. Deaf people are not silent they “sound” just like any other person but in another way. The sign DEAF-MUTE to me means: having similar life experiences, subscribe to Deaf culture, know Sign-Language etc. Hearing people have said that”you can’t go to heaven if you can’t hear the voice of God”, “You need to hear an inner voice to be able to reason”, etc. Another concept is DEAF-DUMB. Dumb can also mean without ability to make sound. That is also a perception that if you are dumb you are also dum(b). I think that one of several reasons oralism is supported. No parent want anyone to think that their child is dum(b). I am not so sure it is a good idea to use DEAF-MUTE in Enlish text. In ASL it doesn’t mean “can’t hear and can’t speak”. That is what it means in English. Maybe it is time for Deaf people to lable themselves with what they want to call themselves. If Deaf people like to use the hearing given label than that is their choice. I don’t think Deaf people ever have been asked what name they want to use to identify their group.
AS
February 25th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
Chroman (#35),
The whole point of the reclamation is to cause hearing people to do a double-take. Reclaiming the term is a tremendous ice-breaker and opportunity for positive publicity on a major scale.
Uninitiated hearing people be puzzled, then find that they must study the issue. They will realize that having silent vocal chords is not the same thing as having a silent mind or silent hands.
Bravo! This is a brilliant strategic move.
February 25th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
We need to ponder on this issue, calling ourselves deaf-mute is perfectly fine with us, is society (us) ready to accept it? We chose to stick with deaf.
It’s like n-word the blacks uses among themselves, nigga is acceptable inside the society, n-word isnt.
Your presentation of deaf-mute made perfectly sense. Again, is society ready to accept?
February 26th, 2007 at 12:03 am
[…] Ella Mae Lentz’s Vlog :Reclaiming “Deaf mute” […]
February 26th, 2007 at 12:11 am
my response to this vlog:
http://lenois.com/?p=43
February 26th, 2007 at 5:13 am
something that I will need to do some rethinking– your points are well done.
February 26th, 2007 at 6:00 am
Very good point. To give another example is the African-American culture. They may call each other, “Hey, what’s up my n*****” but as white folks, we may NEVER call them. It would be considered an offensive word to call them but they may call each other that.
I may never call myself Deaf Mute because I wasn’t born Deaf and ASL was never my first language. I always call myself “Deaf”, not hard of hearing even though I can hear some and speak very well. I’m proud of my identity and proud of my ASL skills but have to realize at the same time, ASL was not my first language. Now, as a Deaf individual myself, would it be considered offensive if I (capital and very large “I”) call Deaf people Deaf Mute?
Long live the Deaf World! Bring Back Deaf Mosaic!
February 26th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Hurrah Ella! Your research on Deaf Mute proves true as you speak the truth. I noticed the changed words of identify us from the beginning to present. You noticed the politicans wrote the laws that defined us as Deaf Mutes, Deaf, Hearing Impaired, Speech Impaired, and Person with Disabilities. It seemed that our true identify got drowned with the meaning of words in the laws.
As a political activist, I strongly believe our true identify should be Deaf Mutes because we heavily use ASL while we communicate with hearing and deaf people.
How we can correct this meaning of words in the laws like ADA, Section 504, and state laws. We should be proudly say WE ARE DEAF MUTES BECAUSE WE HEAVILY USE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE THAT ARE OUR LANGUAGE THAT SPEAK WITH HANDS AND FACIAL EXPRESSION WITHOUT SPEECH.
I always tell the young deaf kids that we are Deaf Mutes because it already defined us that we cannot hear and cannot speak because we use ASL instead of using the speech that required the sounds and lip movement that the words came out of our mouth. It does make the sense to identify us as Deaf Mutes.
I am proudly Deaf Mute Political Activist that speak loudly in sign language and facial expression without having the sounds and speech coming out of my mouth. Using ASL is my mouth instead of speech with the sounds and have to borrow the interpreter voices to speak to the hearing people or politicans while they read my sign language and translated in the sound thru their voices. Thank God for interpreters and show my true identify as Deaf Mute.
Karen Kingrey
February 26th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Sharon (#27) & SkyBlue (#29)- you raised the discussion that “Deaf-Mute” is “exclusionary” and could “split us” further. You specifically stated that there are those of us who “speak”. Well, there are those of us who do “hear”. Before we discuss whether “Deaf-Mute” actually rejects people, I’d like to analyze…
“HARD-OF-HEARING”…
..first before we move onto “Deaf-Mute”.
Thank you,
DE
February 26th, 2007 at 10:23 am
To describe or to label
that is the question.
Sharon D. in #27 and SkyBlue in 29 raise the issue, can a deaf person who speaks well use the word ‘mute’?
The issue is whether to describe or to label ourselves. A description helps people to identify a segment of the population. It is usually used as an adjective in front of a noun. A label on the other hand does more than describing who we are. It indicates our identity and belonging to a socio-cultural group. In the English language, an identity label is usually expressed by a predicate adjective, within the sentence frame ” BE(present) ADJ”, as in “I am deaf”.
Used as a description, the word ‘Deaf/deaf’ identifies all of us, regardless of our ability to speak and how much we still hear. The term ‘deaf-mute’ describes in addition some inability to speak or make vocal sounds.
But as an identity label, it suffices completely to use the label ‘Deaf’. Nothing more!
But since we are keenly aware of the discriminations behind the word ‘mute’ or ‘dumb’ (as frequently used in the U.K.), we use irony to provoke people to think of the inappropriateness of the word ‘mute’ itself. Matthew More in #32 brought an example of a disability advocate, who uses for himself the word ‘cripple’ to make “someone uncomfortable”.
The word ‘mute’ in the sense of “unable to speak orally (for communication)” presumes the notion that communication occurs solely through a spoken language via speech. The word focuses too much on speech. That is the essence of audism. There is no other term for the inability to communicate via sign language, as most hearing people are.
But the same word in the expanded senses “unable to make a vocal sound (as in ‘cry’)”, “dumbfounded” (as in ‘mute with disbelief, terror, etc.’) or “silent, non-speaking” (as in ‘mute witness’) is not audistic. You can be mute in sign language, when you are dumbfounded or scared shitless.
“Reclaiming” the word to proudly proclaim one’s inability to speak orally is not much more than using self-irony. It would be more effective if spoken by a deaf person, who speaks well. A hearing ally may use it too with the explanation that he is mute in sign language, thus helping to confront the audism behind the word. Inability to speak will become less important. They will realize that practically nobody is mute, and therefore the word, meaning “unable to speak”, is moot. Just this is what we want to achieve, a value relativism for speech and hearing.
Any use of the word to seriously emphasize the inability to speak, just perpetuates audism.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Ella’s take on retaking Deaf-mute
Awesome! really – my eyes were tearing up with ur eloquoence and exquiste use of ASL metaphors!
this is so perfect because i have been pondering the endurance of the sign for Deaf – index finger from ear to mouth or vice versa – it could appear to be pathological since it emphasizes physical constraints (cant hear cant speak) but yet is it the most accepted and widely used sign for Deaf people in use in US and other countries
so i was wondering with my students this winter – why the sign Deaf (ear and mouth) had endured – we understood the origins and importance at the time the Deaf community was forming in the US – Deaf-mute and semi-mutes were distinguishable but often came together for common purposes and often educated together
so i started to think this sign Deaf (ear to mouth) is really tied into Deafhood
it is hard because the sign “deaf” has also been generalized and used by deaf people who r not mute nor culturally deaf
eventually it would be great to see if a sign emerges utilizing the hands and/or eyes to signify “people of the eye” and hand as more and more terminology is revisited, reinvented, and originated
it is a thrilling time to see this analysis and the dissemination of information re: vlog / blog
re: some folks concerns of alienating or excluding CODAs, h of h, or deaf folks who talk – i dont see any of that in what Ella presented – she is not advocating for exclusivity of a Deaf-mute community only – rather instead she is giving recognition, validation, and prestige to the heart of Deaf culture as Deaf-Mutes r really the gravity and lifeblood and force of the preservation of ASL and Deaf culture. And in the dominant culture they are often the most disenfranchised or discriminated against. so i am all for her giving credit where credit is due and also encouraging folks to examine the origins of the term and its positive nature and appropriateness
it is time for those of us who came to the Deaf world late in life via acculturation experiences largely at the infinite patience and care of Deaf-Mutes to give thanks, homage, and deference to the “keepers of the culture”
at the same time this distinction and recognition should never be used as a tool of discrimination or exclusion from any side – M. Gandhi said “No culture can survive if it attempts to be exclusive” yet he was still able to recognize the value and importance of having Indians advocate for their own rights and independence – to gain their own collective voice peacefully
thank u ella
peace
p.durr
February 26th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
can you explane that one word ” mute ” mean?
February 26th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
To Mike #33
I can understand on what you Deaf people at UK are going thru with these stuffy hearing people, BUT you, Deaf people, need to get together and develop the Deaf dictionary that shows the totally differences. Noah Webester,himself a hearing man. has failed to include the different culture vocabulary. So it is up to you to follow the hearing’s definations or being mute to their defiantions.
As for me, I have been muted to these people who think differently of me because I have been totally accepted with who I am. No one can change me but myself.
February 26th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
OH boy! This time we have much better understanding of the meaning! St. John’s School for the Deaf and Mute in Milwaukee, Wisconsin had the “mute” removed because there WAS speech class at school and deaf children were trained to speak. Still they ALWAYS preferred to use sign language on playgrounds or in hallway or in dining room. They were scolded for not using speech. Now looking back I wish the nuns (teachers) had better understanding of who we really were. I admitted I was shamed of the word “mute” because I was brainwashed that speech was “elite”. Now heck with it I AM DEAF_MUTE.
February 26th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Ella Mae’s explanation makes sense. Dave
February 27th, 2007 at 5:36 am
I always called myself happily, “Deaf Mute.” I accept myself as Deafhood/Deaf Mute. If deaf people who can talk, I still call them Deaf Mute because they don’t speak like hearing people because when the deaf people speak, they speak non articulation speech.
I experienced with the similar project. We have three different subjects, heard of hearing, profound Deaf(sic), and severe deaf(sic). We spoke the same sentence. Then hearing people listened to our tape not knowing who are the subjects. Hearing people answered questionaires after the listen to the tape. They thought hard of hearing has cleft or is foreign speakers. They thought severe deaf is foreign speaker and learning disability. They(98% of them) thought profound deaf is mentally retard. Very few of hearing thought hard of hearings are deaf.
So overall, it is not benefit to speak if you are hard of hearing or Deaf. Be Deaf Mute!
February 27th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Ella-
Just wondering if you’re planning on taking this Deafhood ‘slideshow tour’ (paraphrasing Al’s Oscar moment!) in Florida anytime soon?
February 27th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Ella,
I applaud you as tough speaker. Very good feedback about Deaf-mute. Did hearing know about themselves as hand-mute, too? ASL stands for Always Serve the Lord. Amen!
February 27th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
For #43
For us CI Deaf who use ASL with our Deaf friends and use spoken English with our hearing counterparts, we could proudly call ourselves Deaf Mute in the Deaf world and hard of hearing in the hearing world.
Problem solved!
February 27th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Hi Ella, 🙂 what an interesting thought you have. I understand your very good point. thks forkeeping up good works for us. I do appreciate your intelligence and interest in your work such as ASL WOW KH
February 27th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
I feel Deaf Mute is offensive. Most of our voice box are perfect fine. We just cannot hear what sounds are supposed to speak. So just be ourselves! My hearing children understand me very clearly with my own deaf’s voice. Most hearing people who have deaf children, parents or siblings have no problem understanding me. So that means my voice box is fine. It doesn’t make sense to be called mute. I am PROUD to be Deaf and strong ASL. I sign “deaf” from ear to cheek or cheek to ear instead of to/from mouth. Or we create new sign “Deaf” to make us the Deafies look intelligence.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Great presentation!
I have taught diversity to High School students/residents. I have emphasized that the name that they were given at birth is theirs. No one can shortened or alter their name!! Must be assertive about their name.
As the label of deafmute…it is about ownership. What about the hyphen to be removed? deafmute instead of deaf-mute? Unique? Unusual? Ownership that no other group can claim it? Something to ponder about….
February 28th, 2007 at 12:45 am
whew!
finally you got it all figured now!
you insulted my wife, Kathy a long time ago as a hearing-minded.
I came from a longer line generation of Deaf than yours, yet you acted superior toward us. Plus we got sixth straight Deaf relative. what’s yours?
Glad you finally got mellowed.
thank you for your being brave.
so what about my being deaf mute as it really defines me as such person so damn well, not so about my wife but she loves our culture. she can speak with voice pretty well as she lost her hearing when she was nine years old. she already establish her “English” thinking in sequence. yet people thought her as a hearing person – oh no!
my wife is deafened one and me – a deaf-mute!
hahaha.
ella – you deaf-mute? well educated and sign in sequence? hahahah – just kidding.
Deaf Mute all the way!
February 28th, 2007 at 5:00 am
Hate the word “mute” that is not very nice to insult and I went to Dr. and the sec. wrote deaf mute in the file and i wrote to her please dont write the word mute but she still dont care and made me mad and boil in my stoamch and feel like tear up the paper also too hospital same thing wrote deaf mute and need tell hearing people in world stop write ” MUTE” not fair we stop call nergo change nice black people now you see it.
Hearing people still dont understand and dont care deaf people that is true.
thank you BC
February 28th, 2007 at 9:49 am
[…] and point of views here. Ella’s Flashlight a Deaf mute’s search for Deafhood enlightment Ella’s Flashlight Reclaiming “Deaf Mute” […]
February 28th, 2007 at 11:04 am
DE
You made a good point…we should discuss HARD OF HEARING! I think you would understand that we don’t want to discuss who can hear or who can’t hear for it is not important. Hard of hearing focuses on people who can hear or who can’t hear. Deaf-mute focuses on people who can speak or can’t speak. I don’t like hard of hearing as much as I don’t like deaf-mute. Lets stay with DEAF, but I will respect those who wish to call themselves HOH and I will respect those who want to call themselves Deaf-mutes. I hope for those who don’t wish to call themselves HOH or Deaf-mutes will be respected, too.
February 28th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
In my Think Tank group, a deaf woman told us that she and her deaf son and hearing son went to the doctor office for a check ups.They agreed to be Deaf. Know what did the doctor write in the very first place?
Do you all have tongues?
So the doctor has been muted to deaf as he did not bother to learn about us. So why not we mute to these hearing people, too?
February 28th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Ella,
First of all, congrats on setting up your own vlog site! I echo BB, wish there was a way to respond via video than in writing. But then again, maybe not! Unlike BB I hate seeing myself on video. Smile.
I think its always neat to bring up challenging topics to stretch our minds and view all angles to determine best as individuals what we like or don’t like.
Your view is a radical one. I can appreciate the radical part, and even conceptually what you are saying even though I don’t like new labels. What I don’t understand is why even bother to reclaim something that was created by hearing people based on their view of us? I can see reclaiming ASL. I can see us reclaiming the Conference of Milan, which is still viewed as a negative point in history, reclaiming it to have another conference in Milan to change history back to what it was when ASL was widely used. I also understand that terms Queer,Dyke,etc are terms that some use. I almost sense you are suggesting that the term deaf-mute be only used amongst ourselves kind of like how the black community uses the word “nigga” affectionately or not, amongst themselves. Not acceptable for a white person to say it.
I get that part of what you are saying.
What I don’t get is if we are connected by our language and our culture, why perpetuate the hearing aspect which really de-emphasizes what our community is really all about? We come in all sizes, shapes, and colors, and yes, communication styles too. Are we respecting our community’s differences if we label ourselves mute?
(Hey-you said you wanted to be challenged, wink).
Lastly, maybe your next vlog you could take a look at the sign Deaf itself. Its a medically viewed sign – pointing at the ear then to the mouth. Once again, hearing perspective of us. I mean, who cares whether or not our ears work? I liked what someone said above about being who we are tied to the language we use, not so much what we “can’t do”. Food for thought.
I don’t always have time to read blogs or vlogs but wanted to make it a point to surface here to show support of your new site.
Best wishes,
Sheri
March 1st, 2007 at 6:17 am
The word…Deaf Mute is a like racism. That word puts us down for long time. If we say, Deaf Mute…the people would label us as a troublemaker. We, troublemakers, are ready to take a stand. Ella, you are self-appointed general. Lead us a way!
March 1st, 2007 at 8:34 am
Hi ALL thinkers, supporters, and protestors—
Want to thank you all for stimulating comments. I hope people are at least thinking or rethinking how to describe ourselves and our World, and NOT being afraid that this will lead to divisions, confusions, or elitism, among us. Remember, Paddy Ladd said in his book that the “false divisions” among Deaf people are caused by the Oralism/Audism Colonialism of the Deaf world. We Deaf parents and our families (hearing or Deaf) need to DE-COLONIZE ourselves in order to make things better for ourselves and our future generations. I am going to do another vlog soon wrapping up this topic and moving on to different topics.
March 1st, 2007 at 9:30 am
Since I am deaf and dont speaking well, I like the label “DEAF” and others who are deaf and speaking well, I like them the label “HEARING IMPAIRED” It makes a sense to me. Any Opinion?
March 1st, 2007 at 5:10 pm
I don’t agree with “Deaf Mute”. But now I can see some people not mind but for me no way. We just cannot hear what sounds are supposed to speak. So just be ourselves! My hearing children and my family understand me clear with my own deaf’s voice. I am PROUD to be Deaf and strong ASL. I sign “deaf” from ear to cheek or cheek to ear instead of to/from mouth. Or we create new sign “Deaf” to make us the Deafies look intelligence. I never like being called me as Deaf-Mute for years and also not like as hearing impairment either because nothing to fix just natural being only deaf. One day, at work, when I noticed the big shot manager told the visitors that I am deaf mute which it boiled me mad about 20 years ago and even my friends at work agreed with me and made the big shot manager embarrament and aplogied me for this.. Hope you understand why I did… Like you know who people with Black (not like called “N” either).
Thank you..
March 1st, 2007 at 10:03 pm
Ella,
I have been unable to locate your email address at your tab, “Contact”. I would
like to email you with a picture of mine and my mother’s alma mater, Maryland School. The school has changed its name four times since its inception.
1. Deaf and Dumb Institute.
2. Maryland School for the Deaf and Mutes.
3. Maryland State School for the Deaf.
4. Maryland School for the Deaf. (1960s)*
* ASL was proclaimed as a true language
at that time.
March 1st, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Wow-lots of feedback. Kudos to your energy. Unfortunately, it will be displaced and disposable. Your vlog is not relevant on a policy-wide level. Let’s see..
Hmm. “deaf-mute” for identity purposes makes sense (i.e. queer theory, your def. of dike, ‘what’s up nigga’ within the black community, etc).
On a policy-level, it will hurt us. The E. Goffman stigma, the medical T. Kuhnian paradigm, and most of all the ideology will persist. ‘They’ don’t care.
On a micro-level, I stand firm in Venditz when he states that as long as there are deaf people, there will always be sign language and this was 1900’s. Are you telling me that if we don’t include the ‘deaf-mute’ notion, then ASL will erode? If yes, then i disagree.
Sign language has been around for ions and it is here to stay. The levels, quality, and what ‘sign’ means is and will always be socially negoitable. Your ‘revisit’ of “deaf-mute” will repeat the cycle. Let it spin because it will reach to more generations for more discourse
D
March 2nd, 2007 at 2:41 am
[…] such post was Reclaiming “Deaf Mute”. My first reaction was, I hate that fucking word! It’s not a rational nor dispassionate or […]
March 2nd, 2007 at 8:51 am
Hi Ella,
That is an interesting insight into the origin of a word and its meaning, temple-chin or chin-temple. It makes sense in a titillating way like fireworks that light up the New Mexican night sky.
I know chin-temple or vice versa also carry cultural identity with Deaf. This ID was my enlightenment in the early 80’s. It led to personal revelation that I am Mexican. Back then, to embrace the Mexican identity was stigmatically negative yet I stood firm just as I did for Deaf. Thanks to you, Marie Jean, MJ, Nancy B. and Kanny convincing models of the early 80’s.
Yet, I speak English and Spanish wherever I need them especially in Mexico or among non-deaf faculty. Divine Providence, for some reason, blessed me with that capability. It is just as CSDB has with my ability to USE-ASL. For all these I’m grateful especially when I have come out of a six month long coma to a blessing known as Deaf . . . not DEAD! For me Deaf equates with ALIVE. WHEW!
I wonder thus whether I am mute in the literal sense of the word. May I ask if I could, even while I doubt I can? There’s no doubt I am deaf and can be Deaf by personal choice, but mute? HMMMMM . . . does that mean I can’t identify myself with the chin-temple Deaf cultural ID?
Yet, it was the flash of my personal enlightenment even to this day. I wonder? Might I thus drop the movement epenthetic bridge in temple-chin to become temple only? i.e. ME INDEX-temple, headshake and . . . kiss the INDEX-chin journey goodbye?
These are my firecrackers for your thoughts and hope I am not too late on this topic.
Ralph Sedano
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:41 pm
To #66
I doubt that there is one Deaf with perfect speaking, so let us call them speech impaired, not hearing impaired.
March 4th, 2007 at 8:16 am
i doubt that hearing people invented the SIGN for Deaf-mute – i would guess it originated within the Deaf community by Deaf people. Was it influenced by the English words Deaf mute – not sure – would be curious to know if there was ever a sign for Deaf and Dumb or if it was always Deaf (chin mouth or vice versa) – has this sign stayed true throughout time despite the evolution of the terms
Deaf and Dumb
Deaf-mute
Deaf
Hearing impaired etc
we need a sociolinguists for this one
re: veditz – many folks quote is famous statement “as long as we have….” but few have watched his whole signed speech and fewer still have read his original English transcription of the speech – in which he used the words “Deaf-mute” repeatedly. if u watch the film u will also see how strongly he emphasizes the Mute part at the end of his address
many folks view his speech as an affirmation of the beauty and perserverance of ASL however if u read / view it in full – perhaps u will see it as i do – an act of RESISTANCE – a CALL to ARMS (or rather hands) that the “Preservation of Sign Language” was in jeopardy due to the spread of oralism from Europe across the Atlantic Ocean to the US three score after the Milan, Ital conference (1880)
Excerpt from “Preservation of Sign Language”
by George Veditz (1913) translated to written English by Carol Padden
“A new race of pharaohs that knew not Joseph are taking over the land and many of our American schools. They do not understand signs for they cannot sign. They proclaim that signs are worthless and of no help to the deaf. Enemies of the sign language, they are enemies of the true welfare of the deaf. As long as we have deaf people on earth, we will have signs. It is my hope that we all will love and guard our beautiful sign language as the noblest gift God has given to deaf people.”
I think we have been guarding ASL – i do not know if we have been defending ASL
i view Ella’s vlog re: deaf-MUTE to be a bold demonstration in answer to Veditz’s call to “cherish and defend” (from his own text for his speech) this noblest gift
peace
patti durr
March 4th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Good point BUT I feel deaf mute is an old fashion word. There are many kind of deaf like hard of hearing, late deaf, oralist, etc You would idenfity me as deaf mute.
Same concept with black people… like lighted skin or this one as in past they were called Negro, Colored, Black and now Africa-American. Same thing with our deaf-dumb, deaf-mute, deaf and now hearing impaired.
March 5th, 2007 at 10:43 am
From my lifelong observations, a hearing person who has never met a deaf person before would use his senso comune by saying gently with a gesture to another hearing person. I will show you how he does it:
He (mouthing)
cannot (mouthing)
HEAR (index finger to the ear)
and (mouthing)
SPEAK (index finger to the lower lip).
Some hearing people do make some gestures to
help other hearing people understand better what “deaf”.
March 6th, 2007 at 7:55 am
My view.. I am against this term why? read my blogs!
Ash
March 6th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Having watched films and videos, I have drawn a conclusion that an index finger or a H handshape moves from the ear to the mouth is a universal sign. From my personal observations, most late-deafened people, including I. King Jordan and Dr. Davila use
a “Deaf-shut” without touching the mouth. What has fascinated me today was when I caught an American Dwight Benedict using a reversal case by moving a “H” handshape from the mouth to the ear on a Deaflympics video. Opposite to deaf Europeans who move “H” from the ear to the mouth. Perhaps
you, Ella, would like to consult a linguist
or a pscyholinguist about that and this.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
I think you should have the right to call your self watever you want this country was founded on freedom of speech…But yeah were all impaired in one way or anouther
March 11th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
I feel not right to call Deaf-Mute. Who’s idea to pit label on that word? Deaf person or hearing person ?
By the way, I am totally disagree for that word of MUTE. Sorry.
Deaf is correct word to show the world we are sign language user.
I am interesting to know.
Bradley.
March 12th, 2007 at 10:48 am
A way of identifying different perspectives about Deaf and Mutes… It funadementally indicates the consistent sense of true identity. (You have made a good point) The aspect of terminology in mute is to define as unable to speak, has not learned to speak or deaf from infancy.
Hence, It is the one of true identity for person who is deaf and raised from deaf parents and their grandparents too.
Let me explain about the dramatic rituals from Kachina’s ceremonies during early 1300BC…Since the history of ritual
explains about the negative behavior as clown appeared during ritual through
“parody” by performaning outrageous acts that would be unacceptable outside of the ritual observation.
That s what you have made your point!
March 12th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Ahh … You got me alot of thinking. I seriously dislike the word is Hearing Impaired. Grew up as a Deaf oralist, Many often labelled me hearing impaired. It is way too confusing for me. Once I came to Gallaudet in ’84, I finally recognized myself as a true Deaf woman. I also finally learned a true ASL!. Thanks to our Deaf Community.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:04 am
Ella,
It is interesting to note that Jordan did not use either EAR-MOUTH or EAR-CLOSE but only CLOSE. He signed “CLOSE people” all the time in Through the Eyes. The movement on his mouth said, “deaf”.
Jean
March 22nd, 2007 at 3:00 pm
I was born deaf. Went to oral boarding school from age 5 till 11. Went to GSD from age 11. I can speak. I can sign ASL. I never looked down on “DeafMute” because there are Deaf people who truly cannot speak. So what? They are intelligent like everyone else. They just can’t hear. Period. What I hate the most is Audism. Narrowminded attitude towards Deaf. I prefer ASL, not speech because ASL is a total communication just like HEARING people carries it at 60 mph. With ASL, I get to laugh and be serious. With speech, it gets “broken” up into pieces and drags. What’s funny is not funny. What’s serious is not taken seriously. I do know there are Deaf people like me who can talk but prefers ASL and will never abandon ASL. NEVER! It’s our universal language. Speech the oralism way is a strain and keeps Deaf people isolated.
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:41 pm
I mean “oralism keeps Deaf People isolated in the HEARING World”. HEARING people becomes acclimated that all DEAF people are “normally” left out of lively conversations in any HEARING events and HEARING holidays and that it is a normal way of life for DEAF people. It is rude and tacky for HEARING family members and HEARING relatives to carry on conversations with each other, leaving a Deaf member out because it is easier and convenient. Deaf persons always backs out and allows that to happen because it’s easier and convenient. Just be patience until it’s time to go home. Deaf people don’t want to go through the process of ‘HOLDING UP’ a conversation. It’s like throwing a wrench into a machinery and tension builds. The ability to speak does not make Deaf person equal in the HEARING world. That is a fact, no longer a theory. I’m not meant to talk. The sound of my voice is not natural. It stops people cold, they listen, waiting for me to speak again. I got used to it eons ago. I stopped pretending to be HEARING in the HEARING world like 15 years ago or so. I speak when necessary and began signing ASL more in the HEARING world. I am DEAF. My parents are right to teach me oralism because of lawyers, judges, bankers,accountants and government people. They are audists. Racists against Deaf people. I spoke and they still discriminated me. They proved oralism does not make any DEAF person equal nor grant DEAF PEOPLE same protection from discrimination and racism called AUDISM. Oralism is not the way. It’s all politics mumbo jumbo trash serving only HEARING people that excludes DEAF PEOPLE politically, legally and economically.
March 27th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
[…] http://www.ellasflashlight.com/?p=8 […]
March 31st, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I don’t like to call us the Deaf-mutes that gets WORSE and WORSE for Deaf community and even hearing community. It doesn’t make sense!!!
Just say Deaf and Hard of hearing. Also, you must be careful with Hard of hearing and Oralisms because they doesn’t want to be a label with the Deaf-mute so they will leave Deaf community for good. Be CAREFUL!!
Look! I am a strong Deaf but not Deaf-mute. We MUST be careful
the terminology because we have been tried to look for a career in “hearing world” If we are Deaf-mute so they will not hire us for a job in ” hearing world”. You must be careful with the word…
I don’t have to bring the old word again so hearing people will look down us. You know we have to fight again, again, again and forever. not worth!!
We must be careful with hearing parents who have thier Deaf children so the parents don’t want to call them Deaf-Mute. I feel that word sounds awful.. I am not hearie!!
Please DON’T change the term again because it will affect people confused again….
NOT WORTH!!
April 5th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Oh no we go again….. please save your time to do better things sice you re very skilled person. dont waste time with that label “deaf mute”. its really not worth. the word “Deaf” are enough label. A bold label, positive and loved and used for many deaf ppl. then lets go use it trough without mix things unacessary. what about feeling of person who is deaf but can speak? Respect them. If mix things will worse and make more hard the fight to bring the best life for all us, the deafies.
June 7th, 2007 at 9:04 am
Ella you raise a valid point. However, are you excluding those of us who are HOH and prefer to communicate via ASL?
HOH people have long had the best and worst of both worlds.
BEST: We can hang out with Deaf folks and Hearies. (Notice I said “hang out” not FIT IN)
WORST: We are never Deaf enough for Deaf folks (now you want to add, “not Mute enough”?), yet not quite able to fit in with the Hearies.
Sure, I can hear and speak but that does not define me. I love ASL and use it on a regular basis. My speech always comes second to ASL.
So, Ella, will you let us play with you????
June 10th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Dear Ella and HoH, Yes! Thank you! I too am hoh and stepped out of the deaf community for a long time because of the syndrome you comment on – not deaf enough to be deaf. This saddened me greatly, as I was comfortable in that community since I am a coda (tho we used German, home sign with alittle asl snarfed into the edges of our world).
I have a wonderful friend who calls us slash people, meaning what? hoh/deaf or deaf/hoh. We ride the communication slash, able to bathe in the rich shower of the spoken word and dance in the dynamic poetry of asl.
Yes! Let us play too.
But I wonder too, if we have not fallen into a labyrinth of labels and envelopes from which we will have to struggle to escape??
The decibels my ears can register in this amazing world are getting less and less and I caught myself wondering the other day if this further loss would make me “officially” deaf. Then thought, how sick, how sad! I am not what I can hear! I am what I can say to you, express to you, in whatever language I choose!
Thanks for listening, Isabella
P.S. Thank you all for your comments, Very Thought Provoking!
June 12th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Hi Ella wow I think you are so great and I am agree with you 100% and bravo and i am enjoy Listern you so well and do again later and I need to learn more from you Thank you
July 13th, 2007 at 4:56 am
Ella,
I love hearing different topics related to deaf and non-deaf issues. You sure brought “deaf mute” to my attention as I hated that word when ppl used it in my presence for years. Now that you explained your perspective of it, which, got me looking at it differently. However, i dont think it would help in the hearing society as they do not see the terms on the same level as us.
I would not mind hearing that within our deaf community. #27 and others asked you about those who can speak some too.. I am curious what your and other deaf debate(r)s think of that???????
Hey #86, I do undy your concern, but no matter what, there will always be some ppl who wouldnt make you happy so we all cannot make everyone happy. you just choose what path, decisions, thoughts, chosen words will make you happy- only yourself!
Things do pop up and go away.. its a good way for everyone to have a discussion – penny for a thought.. I enjoy hearing and see new perspectives but doesnt necessary meaning i would use or agree with the perspective..
An excellent valid point for Ella as well as for others who shared too!
July 13th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
I grew up an oral school, De Paul and I didn’t learn ASL until I enrolled Model Secondary School for the Deaf. I learned the words, deaf mute and some people kept saying “do not let anyone called us deaf mute.” I just accepted how most of deaf people view that deaf mute is negative. Deaf mute never really bothers me at all. Thank you Ella for sharing your perspective the word, Deaf Mute. I consider myself is Deaf Mute in a positive attitude.
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Ralph Sedano, one of your contributors and a very active member of the Latino Deaf Community passed away recently. There is a memorial service and a fund to help his family.
Please visit http://www.manoamano-unidos.org/english/ralphsedano.shtml
Also the tri-lingual program to teach people to work in the latino community is the only one of its kind. It needs the Deaf community’s support as well. The program is at the Santa Fe Community College, New Mexico. Please help with letters of support.
August 14th, 2007 at 9:29 am
I have noticed that word, “Deaf Mute” is not common as today but it happened to me in past when I was in newspaper or magazine, editor called me “…Deaf Mute….” in headlines to relating to my case when I was young. I dislike the term “MUTE” and erased with marker on “MUTE” on magazine or newspaper. It caused me more embrassed, but till you explained on vlog “Deaf Mute” I finally got it and understand to accept Deaf mute and have no complaining with it because no one can explain me why we use term “Deaf Mute” in anyway for purpose. Why not we educate them??
Second, I feel somehow they hide word “Mute” because they could be embrassed due to be “oral” instead of “mute”. It sounds like a war between oral deaf vs mute deaf. Somehow they moved “mute” for some reason.
I am glad to be deaf mute no matter who I am or what I am etc. Be stronger to show our heart for deaf mute in God’s glory!
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:59 am
It is the sole truth of our core in the Deaf world. The truth can’t be avoid or destroy like the Bible. The true identity of ourselves are actually Deaf-mutes. This ID shall empower our vision of Pure ASL Eternity in our generations to come. Way to go Ella!
January 5th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
[…] not been internalized into my Deaf DNA – perhaps some day but i do think there is much truth to Ella’s vlog on Deaf-mutes being a gravitational force within Deaf culture (see point 4). this in no way is diminishing my Deafhood. In no way is anyone […]
January 17th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Saw your great vlog some time ago but didn’t get around to respond…here it is.
I’m so glad you brought that up. I never really understood how Deaf-Mute could be offensive. To be a truly proud classic and cultural Deaf person, that would mean vocal talking is not part of the culture.
In fact, I understand that it was the early (not too far before the Milan conference event) oralists who made the move to remove the “mute” label. They said that the Deaf can learn to speak…and well, you know the rest of what happened next.
For those who take offense in being called mute…I guess they support the oralist’s idea that the Deaf can/should learn to speak and to move closer to the Hearing’s world.
Me Deaf Mute DRY ARGUE ZERO! Way to go, Ella.
January 21st, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Play Video Comment
January 29th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Pointing ear and mouth symbolizes Deaf. We should be properly educated about the term words: Deaf and Deaf Mute.
In general, the definition of Deaf means unable to hear and unable to speak. Some lose a lot of decibels (dB) and the others lose 100% of dB. Both have voice chords functioning. Because they can’t hear, they can’t talk properly. They don’t talk. These are not related to issue “mute”.
The definition of mute means incapable to speak due to lack of tongue or voice chord. Some hearing persons lose their tongues or voice chords and they are called mutes. A Deaf person loses either tongue or voice chord. He is Deaf AND mute.
In the history of labeling “Deaf-mute” in the Deaf community is ancient and it is usually not true because Deaf people have voice chords. They could talk but often not understandably. But it does not mean they are mute.
Like Chuck Baird’s #17 comment: the words like mute or dumb can be used as slang or bad name. In any language, the vocabulary could be evolved or borrowed for a different meaning for a metaphorical approach or even insulting. That is human nature of looking down or slurring but we correct them that the behaviors or attitudes are not accepted.
Ella, Deaf Mute is not accurate way to describe people. First, mute is not an accurate description. Secondly, Charlie Baird is right; it can be used to insult.
Happy New Year 2008!
Dora
February 13th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Hello Ella,
I came across your article about the term “deaf-mute” while trying to find out what term I should use in a book I am about to publish. It is a guide book to old Paris where I give a description of a building that was an Institut National des Sourd-Muets during the 18th century. I need to find a translation for this and the only one given is “deaf-mute”. I try in my book to always use terms that cause no offence and I am not sure what term I should use. You say that the term “deaf-mute” should be reclaimed, but do you think if I use it in my book it would be seen as offensive. If you have some advice on what I should say I would be most grateful.
Many thanks – and best wishes – Jan Kelley
March 2nd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
i have a question…. do deaf ppl or any other ppl with a disability ( i apologize if the term disability offends you) get offended when asked how they got that way?
March 5th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Thank you so much for your thoughts. I am currently taking ASL 1 at my school and have been researching more into Deaf culture. Thank you for your information.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:24 am
SCANDAL BETWEEN AUDIOLESI And DEAFS-MUTE I make present some between the citizens sorde that I find myself continuously to having to face and my proposals in order to try of discrimination. They are city deafs-mute who limit seriously some fundamental rights of the citizen, the full enjoyment of which not only goes guaranteed to hearing but also we sordomutesse. As far as to audiolesi and deafs-mute a range of hostile and you avail again indispensable for one total integration in the life daily paper
March 20th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I interpret in Deaf community. I cannot use “deaf-mute?” I guess I do not understand completely. Could you please explain more?
March 20th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
One more comment…
someone said that HOH have the best and worst of both worlds. I don’t presume to know how it is for you, but I CAN say that the most important thing is TOLERANCE. The patience to TRY to understand each other. That is what counts the most. I have never meet anyone who feels that they “fit in” completely…we are all just “misfits” spending time with other “misfits.” Just enjoy the journey and if people reject you because of “not fitting in,” they probably weren’t worth getting to know anyway. 🙂
April 11th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
My friend send me your movie clip which have had impress me about you….
I am a member of http://www.tagdeaf.com
I happened to wrote down that I am proud Deaf Mute…. of course so many member have attacked me and most of them said it is very wrong to use the term on Deaf Mute..I have debated with them for two days.. Somehow the forum was removed….They label me as bossy because I refuse to give up the term on Deaf Mute….They got wrong idea…
I am wondering if it is ok to use your movie clip to put on the forum? Or you are very welcome to come to http://www.tagdeaf.com My TagDeaf name is Jacey125… Thank You
Jacey
April 15th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Hi Jacey,
sure you can show my vlog from my website at your forum..please link this vlog and the other one to yours. Good luck. Yes, I know many people are still processing this weird idea of using DeafMute, especially after many years of learning that it’s bad term. Me too. But, seems it will help unify Deaf people if we go for an identity that ALL of us CAN share….I say we are DeafMutes BY NATURE OR BY CHOICE.
April 18th, 2008 at 5:58 am
[…] by bell hooks books by Tove Skutnabb-Kangas Ella Mae Lentz vlogged re: the Deaf-mute as the gravitational force for Deaf culture – might be worth a viewing to […]