Dumb

Question

Hi guysMy question is about the word "dumb"My dictionary says:dumb:1-a word used to describe someone who is permanently unable to speak, which some people find offencive. (Ex.: She's been deaf and dumb since birth)2- informal, especially AmE - stupid ( Ex.:That was a dumb thing to do!)3- unable to speak, because you are angry, surprised,shocked etc.(Ex.: Hestared in dumb misery at the wreckage of the car.)Well, from what i've learnt (by reading, watching tv and stuff) when people want to say that someone is  permanently unable to speak, they  say "she's unable to speak" and i think i've even heard something like " she's unspeakable". And "dumb" is usually used like the adj.(well, not only) meaning "unpleasant", "silly", "stupid" etc.So, the question itself: is it polite to say thatsomeone's dumb if  you do not want ot insult them, meaning that they are "unspeakable"?And if not, what word is polite then?Best wishes,me

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

'Unspeakable' means 'inexpressibly terrible/bad', so this word has nothing to do with your subject.

People who are unable to hear and speak were once called deaf and dumb, but these words are now out of favour (offensive to some), and are often replaced by 'hearing-impaired' and 'speech-impaired'.

From the American Heritage Dictionary:

In reference to people who are unable to speak, mute and deaf-mute are now often considered objectionable. The offense is due not only to the bluntness of these terms but also to the implication that a person who is incapable of oral speech is necessarily deprived of the use of language. In fact, many deaf people today communicate naturally and fully through the use of a sign language such as ASL, and no one who has witnessed such a conversation would ever think to call the participants mute.

also

The rise of the Deaf Pride movement in the 1980s has introduced a distinction between deaf and Deaf, with the capitalized form used specifically in referring to deaf persons belonging to the community—also known as Deaf culture—that has formed around the use of American Sign Language as the preferred means of communication. The issue of capitalization is different with deaf than it is for a term such as black. In the case of black, the decision whether or not to capitalize is essentially a matter of personal or political preference, while with deaf the capitalized and uncapitalized forms differ in meaning as well as style. Only persons who are self-identified as belonging to Deaf culture are appropriately referred to as Deaf.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks

Dumb

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