"Deaf" is not a derogatory term, it merely describes the condition of being unable to hear. Since some people have a reduced ability to hear but do still have some hearing, the term "hearing impaired" would be more accurate for those people. However, the term "dumb" when used to describe people who cannot speak, is insulting (since it also means stupid). So deaf is OK, but deaf and dumb is not.
No. However it depends on the tone and context in which you use it.
The word 'deaf' is a noun form as a word for people who are deaf considered as a group.example: I'm taking sign language lessons for communicating with the deaf.The noun form of the adjective deaf is deafness.
Deaf is a word use for people that can not hear. Also many people may be partially deaf, which means they can hear some sounds but not clearly.
Another word for deaf mute is "deaf and speechless."
An anagram of the word deaf is "fade."
No, "deaf" is not an adverb. It is an adjective describing a person who is unable to hear.
The word deaf is also an anagram for fade.
No- there were deaf and blind people long before the creation of the written word.
The word deaf has only one syllable. It is pronounced with a single stress point.
The word 'deafening' is the present participle of the verb 'to deafen'. The present participle of the verb is also an adjective, and a gerund, a verbal noun.The noise coming from the heavy metal concert was simply deafening.
The staff were not aware that he was deaf.He was a deaf as a sorcerer's staff.
I personally have a hearing impairment and I would prefer to be called hearing impaired. But I guess you could use the word deaf. As for capitalization it depends who you ask. Those in the deaf culture prefer to say Deaf and call their culture Deaf culture. After all, if you say someone is French or British it is capitalized. You are referring to their identity. If you just want to say someone is deaf, as in hearing loss, and without connoting a culture of signing in their own language, you could say "hard of hearing", "hearing loss", "hearing impaired", "deaf", or "oral deaf" meaning a deaf person who hears and speaks to some extent and is grounded in hearing society rather than Deaf culture.Deaf, capitalized is politicized and I personally believe it is more fit for editorials or personal views rather than for news reporting.Do you call black people "Black People"?Do you call white people "White People"?Do you call tan people "Tan People"?For more on this topic see this article:http://tomwillard.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/big-d-deaf-seems-big-headed-to-me/
bodhar