Barb DiGi did a vlog recently suggesting we eliminate small-d deaf and only use capital-D Deaf. At the risk of inciting a riot, I want to add my own thoughts.
I’ve been an editor of deaf-related publications almost constantly going back to the NTID student newspaper in 1981 and I’ve never jumped on the bandwagon for the capital-D deaf thing.
To do so, in my opinion, would be a case of an editor adding a personal bias to the work. It’s pretty obvious that when people choose to capitalize the word Deaf, they are taking a political stand. I have no problem with that and I’m not arguing against it. But as an editor, I don’t think I have any business taking a political stand, except perhaps on the editorial pages.
If I base a news report on an article that refers to a person as being small-d deaf, what business do I have changing that to capital-d Deaf? Wouldn’t I have to track down each and every person and see if they subscribe to Deaf Cultural values?
If I write about a theater that adds open captioning to benefit deaf patrons, why would I change that to capital-D Deaf? The captions are going to benefit deaf theatergoers whether they are fully immersed in Deaf Culture or have never met another deaf person and the only sign they know is the middle finger.
I also have had the unusual experience of being hearing my first 10 years, hard of hearing the next 10 and deaf the past 30. As a result, I know that not all deaf people are alike and we can’t go around applying the Deaf label willy nilly to everyone who can’t hear.
I agree with Barb DiGi’s premise that we don’t need both small-d and big-D deaf, but I’m not so sure about her conclusion. It seems kind of big-headed when a group of people defy what dictionaries and stylebooks say and decide they deserve the capital-D treatment. It seems more modest and inclusive to stick with small-d deaf and seek out other, more constructive, ways to show society of our importance.
I recall one deaf man who was quite vocal on the subject and insisted on being identified as Deaf in the short article I was writing about him. I complied with his directive — by using ‘deaf’ to start the sentence (‘Deaf activist Jose Blow said …”).
6 Comments
October 12, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Hi Tom,
Thanks for sharing your perspective on the Big-D small d issue. I’m not sure if you understood from Barb’s vlog and also from ASC’s blog (What is up with the Big-D in
Deaf?), that the definition of Deaf with a capital D has evolved somewhat from the original meaning proposed by James Woodward in 1972. It seems that you are working from this definition – viewing Deaf as referring only to those people who subscribe to Deaf cultural values. Today, however, the Big D Deaf is suggested as an inclusive term, to show pride and recognition of being Deaf….the same way other cultural and ethnic groups capitalize their names.
A Jewish person who doesn’t practice the religious traditions is still Jewish, not jewish. The same goes for Deaf people – some might not sign ASL but they are still Deaf and experience the world visually, through lipreading or PSE or cued speech, for example.
Dictionaries and stylebooks are great references, but they, too, change with the times and are by no means the definitive word on how we should describe ourselves.
-Sharon
October 17, 2007 at 3:28 pm
I understand what you mean and you make a good case but ultimately what you want is for all the editors and writers of the world to capitalize the “d” when they use the word deaf and that just ain’t gonna happen.
How can you get them all to go along if editors in the deaf community don’t even want to go along with it?
If it boosts your esteem and makes you feel good about yourself and other deaf people, go ahead and capitalize the word.
But I’m pragmatic and wish we’d focus our attention on the battles we can win and that will improve our lives and stop wasting time on semantics.
PS .. you may be interested to know that “black” is not capitalized in the media when discussing issues related to black people.
October 21, 2007 at 5:28 am
James Woodward? Quite interested.. He was first deaf student who arrived in Michigan Deaf School which was my school. It is nice to know about that.
To respond your point of this, I think we simply agree with her because she cleared up her point. From now and on, I am going use ” D ” in any of my respond.
February 7, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Can you imagine writing “White People” or “Tan People”?
February 9, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Why not just let everyone be the individual they are and not categorize anyone…Some like to be called “hard of hearing” or “hearing impaired’ or “deaf”…just ask them but don’t force a label on anyone nor assume that one prefers to be described or identified as such. Whether a person relates to the deaf or hearing or hard of hearing community or all or both or none…they are still worthy of their individual needs.
February 10, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I understand your point of view.
Deaf = a Deaf culture with pride.
deaf = without culture, just point to ear – deafness, relating to loss of hearing.
I do say I become deaf when I was a baby.
For who I am, I say I am Deaf.
Dinah, you are right to let them decide for who they are. I decide that I am Deaf not deaf. ;0)