deaf-mute
Cannot hear, speak
Deaf-mute describes a person who is both deaf and unable to speak, or the condition itself.
The term is now considered dated and often offensive, as it implies deaf people cannot communicate—when in fact most can through sign language, writing, or speech.
Modern usage prefers "deaf" alone or "deaf and nonverbal" when the distinction matters.
Communication through gestures
- ASLManual visual communication system
- BSLBritish sign language
- fingerspellingLetter-by-letter hand alphabet
- lip-readingInterpreting speech visually
gestures · body-language · writing · interpreter · captioning · pictograms · text-to-speech
Absence of speech
- speechlessnessInability to speak
- congenitalExisting from birth
- aphoniaInability to vocalize
- acquiredCame to possess
No longer in use
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- archaicBelonging to earlier times
- deprecatedFormally advised against using
- hearing-impairedHaving partial or total deafness
Deaf higher education institution
- mainstreamingIncluding in standard settings
- oralismSpeech-emphasis in deaf education
- CODAHearing offspring of deaf
Old and outdated
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- institutionalizationEstablishing as norm or standard
- eugenicsControlled human reproduction theory
- asylumShelter from persecution
sign-language
Communication through gestures
- ASLManual visual communication system
- BSLBritish sign language
- fingerspellingLetter-by-letter hand alphabet
lip-reading · gestures · body-language · writing · interpreter · captioning · pictograms · text-to-speech
mutism
Absence of speech
- speechlessnessInability to speak
- congenitalExisting from birth
- aphoniaInability to vocalize
outdated
No longer in use
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- archaicBelonging to earlier times
- deprecatedFormally advised against using
Gallaudet
Deaf higher education institution
- mainstreamingIncluding in standard settings
- oralismSpeech-emphasis in deaf education
- CODAHearing offspring of deaf
antiquated
Old and outdated
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- institutionalizationEstablishing as norm or standard
- eugenicsControlled human reproduction theory
- silencequiet, silent, hush, stillness, muted
- sensory lossblindness, numbness, anosmia, hearing loss, vision loss
- Jewish statuskohen, Israelite, convert, ger, proselyte
- legal capacitylegal capacity, mental capacity, capacity, incapacity, competence