tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post4985073902585835536..comments2023-05-11T10:05:37.318-04:00Comments on Deaf Progressivism: Should we get rid of small d in Deaf?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-11201461728395976872007-10-18T00:48:00.000-04:002007-10-18T00:48:00.000-04:00Wow, I really liked your vlog! I agree with you t...Wow, I really liked your vlog! I agree with you that Deaf represents culture same as Italian. You are right, nobody says italian for anything! Why should it be different?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-63594687269162369712007-10-12T12:05:00.000-04:002007-10-12T12:05:00.000-04:00I wrote a comment that got to be too big to be a c...I wrote a comment that got to be too big to be a comment, so I posted it on my blog:<BR/><BR/>http://tomwillard.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/big-d-deaf-seems-big-headed-to-me/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-3336930771880710412007-10-11T19:24:00.000-04:002007-10-11T19:24:00.000-04:00Thanks ASC (Sharon and Candace) for starting an in...Thanks ASC (Sharon and Candace) for starting an interesting discussion last year. Your blog was thoughtful. Thanks Barb for discussing it again for the new people. I like big D.<BR/>I will use D from now on. I never really thought about it much before.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-23760128803289115302007-10-11T17:52:00.000-04:002007-10-11T17:52:00.000-04:00Thank you for all of your wonderful comments. It i...Thank you for all of your wonderful comments. It is good to see different point of views here. <BR/><BR/>Traditionally, the small d has and will always be used to describe the audiological part as in deafness. I am not talking about using the small d for that purpose though. It is about how we write or refer to the term Deaf with a capital D when talking about Deaf in general. We may use small d if we are to distinguish specific sub groups but at the same time it divides the Deaf community to some but not necessarily to all as some have claimed in the commentatory section. The whole point is no one, in my opinion, should label the ones wth the small d but themselves as they wish.<BR/><BR/> It is obvious that we are humans first but we are still Deaf. So it is just good to know that to capitalize the d in Deaf is just that same way we capitalize the ethnic groups.Barb DiGihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01782821203852989863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-18739783458265399642007-10-11T17:12:00.000-04:002007-10-11T17:12:00.000-04:00Karen MayesYou made excellent points in your comme...Karen Mayes<BR/><BR/>You made excellent points in your comments!! <BR/><BR/>From reading many blogs and watching vlogs, I have come to the point that we are all d/Deaf. <BR/><BR/>We are deaf --<BR/><BR/>- when we see an audiologist for our hearing assessment to get a better hearing aid<BR/><BR/>- when we use medical terms (profoundly deaf, 50 dB hearing loss, etc)<BR/><BR/>- when we need assistance in communication<BR/><BR/>- when we get disability welfare like SSDI because of our being deaf. <BR/><BR/>We are Deaf when we don't experience frustration or obstacles in communication. We use ASL to communicate with our Deaf friends or sign language interpreters. We go to socials organized by Deaf people and so on... <BR/><BR/>Like you, I am just myself and an individual first. We change our roles depending on the situation as parent, spouse/partner, woman/ man, caregiver, employee (or employer), Deaf person, patient, and so on... <BR/><BR/>Hope it makes sense...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-42852105795912372152007-10-11T06:14:00.000-04:002007-10-11T06:14:00.000-04:00Hmmm... when asked who I am, I always say I am a p...Hmmm... when asked who I am, I always say I am a person first. Mother next. Friend next. But I never define myself as Deaf. Yup, I am deaf, but I don't make a big deal out of it. I accept people as who they are, not based on their cultural preferences (if cultural preferences, I am being judgmental.) I am comfortable in my skin and it is kinda disturbing to watch some people posturing themselves as Deaf, Black, etc., like they need to prove something to the world... it is a sign of insecurity.<BR/><BR/>Deafhood stresses on acceptance of ALL deaf/hoh people, to make the deaf community more open and the Deaf culture NEEDS to evolve in order to follow up with the changes of our times.Karen Mayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08489062601774194183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-38880144906223801372007-10-11T03:01:00.000-04:002007-10-11T03:01:00.000-04:00Jean Boutcher said... I must agree with Sharon Duc...Jean Boutcher said... <BR/><BR/>I must agree with Sharon Duchesneau. In her blog, she encouraged inclusiveness. <BR/><BR/>D/d would prompt elitism and divisiveness.<BR/><BR/>Back to square one, using D would be in reference to ALL people who cannot hear or are hard-of-hearing. Meaning what? We would have to stop defining d/D as non-culturally Deaf and as culturally Deaf respectively henceforth. Even non-signing oralists and implantées can be called "Deaf". <BR/><BR/>This new definition would erase the old definition in 1970s. I must admit that I have a great admiration for the Generation X for having a mind of their own by reading or thinking with intelligence and judgment.<BR/><BR/>We do not have to support the philosophy of 1970s. I suggest that one get in touch with dictionary makers to define "Deaf" in the concept of an "inclusive term" -- in the phrase of Sharon Duchesneau.Beaux Arts de Boutjeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05453552767797746706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-80729970889370783562007-10-10T21:47:00.000-04:002007-10-10T21:47:00.000-04:00Hey Hey Barb,That was a good discussion and I expl...Hey Hey Barb,<BR/>That was a good discussion and I explained to my wife about you and idea of "Deaf" and my wife understood and explained to me about Black and Hispanic. I do understand now.<BR/><BR/>I am supporting using the term Deaf. For example, when writing,people use Black,Hispanic,Jewish to describe groups of people. it symbolizes the importance of the word. deaf seems to minimize the importance. I am very proud that I am Deaf and ASL.<BR/>Bobby LopezFrances11https://www.blogger.com/profile/10814022709365584116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-62648611099932047882007-10-10T20:51:00.000-04:002007-10-10T20:51:00.000-04:00Hi Barb,Good topic on "D" and "d" term for deaf. I...Hi Barb,<BR/><BR/>Good topic on "D" and "d" term for deaf. <BR/><BR/>In the past, I always think of myself as a deaf for many years until I learned about "D" is for one group within the community. Never thought of how important is using a "D". <BR/><BR/>Also, there are few examples: Deaf, Father, Mother, Grandparent, etc. as what they call them. I've seen a uppercase letters in the sentence occasionally.<BR/><BR/>From what I see is "d" being a silent and "D" is louder and clear. IMO.<BR/><BR/>Good vlog!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-24283555395727851562007-10-10T20:06:00.000-04:002007-10-10T20:06:00.000-04:00Hi Barb!Love how you bring this up and turning it ...Hi Barb!<BR/><BR/>Love how you bring this up and turning it into a healthy discussion to reinforce thinking and to encourage others to express their feelings without feeling threatened or fear of getting bashed.<BR/><BR/>That said, I am with BEG. I do not consider myself Deaf even though I use sign language. It does not mean I focus on my audiological condition because that isn’t true.<BR/><BR/>I think it's important for a person to define her/himself - but I like your way of thinking where you are saying, "Deaf means everyone who can't hear or simply consider themselves deaf, not by rules or proving themselves" because that'd allow younger d/Deaf children to feel more comfortable instead of seeking approval from other Deaf people who "award" them by giving them that label.<BR/><BR/>If your argument is agreed by most to “update” the old thinking and one wishes to be “Deaf”, then by means do feel free to use without feeling like he/she has to prove him/herself.<BR/><BR/>(Unless it’s with Erick *grins* I love ya, Erick but you know it’s true, dude! I can just see you standing in front of me and stare at my CI and go “for for?? Take the frigging thing off and trash it just like I did, dammit!” *grins*) However, he has a good point – it DOES have to do with the language since that is what HAS defined the Deaf people with ASL, art, history, beliefs, and lifestyle. <BR/><BR/>I feel fine being deaf although I know some find it hard to believe because I have a CI. I guess I’m pretty much an “outcast” in regards to that. ;) But I do find myself very comfortable in the Deaf Culture and love “the people” (I’m just joking here – I was just thinking of something totally un-related…)<BR/><BR/>Perhaps the next generation would feel much more comfortable if we encourage this kind of thinking.<BR/><BR/>Interesting topic! And sorry, Sharon, for missing that important topic on your blog!IamMinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15337230366443001201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-87776992171157028882007-10-10T19:05:00.000-04:002007-10-10T19:05:00.000-04:00Anon 5:28,To whom do you don't agree with? Barb is...Anon 5:28,<BR/><BR/>To whom do you don't agree with? Barb is making a point that she is not to separate the Deaf community by labeling small d and big D but big D for all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-15658131348751257492007-10-10T17:28:00.000-04:002007-10-10T17:28:00.000-04:00I don’t agree with you what you made comment. You ...I don’t agree with you what you made comment. You can’t separate Deaf community and deaf community because we will possible be troublemakers. I could disguise your opinion. <BR/><BR/>I support All DEAF.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-90059343792878733802007-10-10T15:56:00.000-04:002007-10-10T15:56:00.000-04:00I have very mixed feelings about this. I've alway...I have very mixed feelings about this. I've always called myself deaf. I've only recently started to learn sign language. I do not feel that I would always be accepted as Deaf because I will never be a native signer, even though I can't help that (the decision to not teach me to sign was made for me, not by me, when I was a child). Therefore, the term I am most comfortable for myself is "deaf." <BR/><BR/>Also, don't assume that everyone who is "deaf" must be a "hearing oriented person" (yet another reason I don't feel like "Deaf" is appropriate for me -- I find that sentiment above disturbing in its assumptions.)BEGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09301965824694092800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-86205787389907916102007-10-10T13:59:00.000-04:002007-10-10T13:59:00.000-04:00Oops, here's the link to the ASC post on this topi...Oops, here's the link to the ASC post on this topic:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=247" REL="nofollow">What is up with the Big-D in Deaf?</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-20434424010376977012007-10-10T13:31:00.000-04:002007-10-10T13:31:00.000-04:00When reading your post, I'm reminded by unpublishe...When reading your post, I'm reminded by unpublished articles by A. O'Donnell. I think he has broke through the ideas behind the big and little capitalization as well as several others (can't remember all). Whenever he's around, try to talk to him. I haven't seen anything on Deafread or blogs like his remarks.<BR/><BR/>An interpreter (hope it's ok that I post!) :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-52381133002270813592007-10-10T12:12:00.000-04:002007-10-10T12:12:00.000-04:00Hi Barb,I am glad to see the Big D small d issue b...Hi Barb,<BR/><BR/>I am glad to see the Big D small d issue being revisited again. I completely agree with you that Deaf is an inclusive term and there should not be any "in-group" or "out-group" status associated with it. <BR/><BR/>You can see ASC's blog on this topic from one year ago: http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=247. Sticking with the big D also makes for a lot easier reading, instead of changing back and forth all the time, between deaf and Deaf. Although many comments disappeared when our server crashed, I recall a healthy debate over using Big D or small d. Judging from the comments responding to your vlog, it looks like more people have changed their thinking and are supporting the use of Deaf today. Maybe it has something to do with Deafhood. In any case, I am glad to see the support out there.<BR/><BR/>Great vlog!<BR/>SharonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-66941078690605901692007-10-10T12:05:00.000-04:002007-10-10T12:05:00.000-04:00Barb, thank you! This topic is long overdue. I agr...Barb, thank you! This topic is long overdue. I agree the terms are outdated. As you know, Language changes over time, with that of the evolving culture. The terms D/d perpetuate separatism. What we need now are terms and messages that encourage positive interaction and unity! Your message is that of a true leader! <BR/>You go girl!<BR/>Deaf it is!<BR/>~Sheri.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-84036175486542907532007-10-10T11:54:00.000-04:002007-10-10T11:54:00.000-04:00Barb -Very good topic....good discussion!! :-)I ag...Barb -<BR/><BR/>Very good topic....good discussion!! :-)<BR/><BR/>I agree "D" in Deaf !!<BR/><BR/>When I write/or type "I am deaf" I don't like the "feeling"<BR/>of that. So when I change it to "Deaf" WOW what A BIG difference in the feeling!!! ;-D<BR/><BR/>BRAVO!B.A.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03125374795016253379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-71761526537898163082007-10-10T10:50:00.000-04:002007-10-10T10:50:00.000-04:00We do not capitalize majors or academic discipline...We do not capitalize majors or academic disciplines unless they refer to a language, ethnic group, or geographical entity:Roundbottom is an economics major, but he loves his courses in French and East European studies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-32367760018451793302007-10-10T10:43:00.000-04:002007-10-10T10:43:00.000-04:00Hi Barb DiGi!I wanted to say BRAVO for bringing th...Hi Barb DiGi!<BR/><BR/>I wanted to say BRAVO for bringing this up!<BR/><BR/>I have never been big fan of lower case "d" so that's why I always use capital "D" in all of my blogs and videos with subtitle because I believe that every one of us are in ONE group. <BR/><BR/>I'm so glad you brought this up and I have a good feeling that you really did make a big impact regarding should or should not to use "d". I hope we all can starting using "D" from now on.<BR/><BR/>We all are ONE big happy family. That's the way to work together and success for the better! :-D<BR/><BR/>Way to go!<BR/><BR/>-SGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-90571761721601193462007-10-10T09:47:00.000-04:002007-10-10T09:47:00.000-04:00Good Morning, Barb!I am surprised that no one ment...Good Morning, Barb!<BR/><BR/>I am surprised that no one mentioned the book!<BR/><BR/>I used the book you showed for my project in the psychology or communication art class at Gallaudet. Of course, I cannot find the book in the storage room, too many boxes I could not look through. <BR/><BR/>I believe that Tom Humphries/Carol Padden team has revised the book. Perhaps, the new edition book.<BR/><BR/>There is a debate between the deaf vs. Deaf for years. Unfortunately, the attitude on the d vs. D issue have impacted to all of us, especially, the young and "bully" people. You know the good and bad apple in the community.<BR/><BR/>So good to have you in the vlogging world as always.<BR/><BR/>White GhostAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-63699403673979947162007-10-10T08:25:00.000-04:002007-10-10T08:25:00.000-04:00Hi..I always enjoy your Vblog. Yes, I noticed myse...Hi..I always enjoy your Vblog. Yes, I noticed myself when I wrote D or d for deaf and I often confused with it for long time until you brought it up. I am glad. Yes, I agree that D is better and stays that way. Thanks for bringing it up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-84441015929832808422007-10-10T05:57:00.000-04:002007-10-10T05:57:00.000-04:00Oh yes... I have talked about this with a friend o...Oh yes... I have talked about this with a friend of mine last year and "deaf" is seen as a shorthand medical term.<BR/><BR/>Very good presentation. It is like saying if you have a drop of Irish blood in you, you are IRISH, even though one does not have red hair, green eyes, freckles...Karen Mayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08489062601774194183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-25998614979718298692007-10-10T00:55:00.000-04:002007-10-10T00:55:00.000-04:00Yes, all Deaf people are not noun!I am not noun I ...Yes, all Deaf people are not noun!I am not noun I am a Deaf person, I wish I could gesture to you in Italian for your information I am not Italian but I am very very familar with Italian cultures myself, I grew up in Italian community in NYC okay, I am glad you brought up that issue whether small letter d or big letter D for a person should be Deaf, you are right most ethnic people do not use small letter like that so why not all of Deaf community include me to use big letter Deaf. I agree with you!!!Platonic's Eyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02429962318720397105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37179429.post-18417443590724937322007-10-10T00:49:00.000-04:002007-10-10T00:49:00.000-04:00Hi,This is the first time I've visited your blog/v...Hi,<BR/>This is the first time I've visited your blog/vlog, but the title on DeafRead jumped out at me. While I understand the academic purposes for defining deaf and Deaf differently such as to indicate a medical or physical hearing level versus a culture, I felt that that terminology applied to people was divisive. I was never able to put my finger on what bothered me about it until I saw your vlog. I think there is enough divisiveness in the Deaf community, and to use one unifying term for the people in the community is part of the process of Deafhood. <BR/><BR/>As another justification for the use of capital "D" Deaf to refer to a group of people comes from the practice of using certain words (uncapitalized) to refer to entities used by a culture (an oriental rug for instance), but we don't call Asian people "Oriental." We could seperate Deaf and deaf similarly (i.e. a medical journal might say "the level of deafness" refering to a state but say "Deaf-Americans" when refering to the patients). Basically, always use Deaf as the politically correct way to refer to people (regardless of where they are in the process of Deafhood). Besides, like you said, you can't evaluate someones process of Deafhood any more than you can evaluate how Irish-American they are. So why not just use terminology that creates equality. Loved your point! Very provocative post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com