nonspeakers
Those without speech
Nonspeakers are people who do not speak, either because they cannot or choose not to use oral speech.
The term appears most often in discussions of autism and developmental disabilities, where it has largely replaced "nonverbal" to acknowledge that communication takes many forms: Many nonspeakers use AAC devices to participate in conversations.
The word emphasizes that not speaking is distinct from not communicating or not understanding language.
Producing no sound
- muteWithout voice or sound
- nonverbalNot using speech
- voicelessHaving no voice
- wordlessLacking spoken content
uncommunicative · speechless · inarticulate · tongue-tied · reticent · taciturn · quiet · hushed
Pushed to society's edges
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- unheardNot perceived aurally
- silencedRendered unable to speak
- disenfranchisedDeprived of voting rights
underrepresented · ignored · dismissed · voiceless · powerless · minority · outsiders · alienated
Neurodevelopmental condition without speech
- AACSound compression format
- tabletsFlat portable computing devices
- typingEntering text via keyboard
- apraxiaVoluntary movement execution deficit
developmental · neurodivergent · support · therapists · caregivers · advocates · assistive technology
People from elsewhere
- immigrantsThose settling abroad
- newcomersThose recently arrived
- visitorsPeople who come temporarily
- touristsTravelers seeing sights
expats · refugees · migrants · non-native · outsiders · travelers · international students · exchange students
silent
Producing no sound
wordless · uncommunicative · speechless · inarticulate · tongue-tied · reticent · taciturn · quiet · hushed · gestural
marginalized
Pushed to society's edges
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- unheardNot perceived aurally
- silencedRendered unable to speak
disenfranchised · underrepresented · ignored · dismissed · voiceless · powerless · minority · outsiders · alienated · sidelined
nonverbal autism
Neurodevelopmental condition without speech
apraxia · developmental · neurodivergent · support · therapists · caregivers · advocates · assistive technology
foreigners
People from elsewhere
- immigrantsThose settling abroad
- newcomersThose recently arrived
- visitorsPeople who come temporarily
tourists · expats · refugees · migrants · non-native · outsiders · travelers · international students · exchange students · language learners
nonspeakersspeakers
Audio output devices
talkers · vocalizers · native speakers · conversationalists · orators