need your help - not SW-related

Cherie Wren cwterp at YAHOO.COM
Sat Aug 20 16:09:11 UTC 2011


American Deaf people sometimes use the plural Deafs or deafies, but it is not used that way by hearing people.  Its more of an informal usage, and perhaps a form of 'in-group' code.  


cherie




>________________________________
>From: Bill Reese <wreese01 at TAMPABAY.RR.COM>
>To: SW-L at LISTSERV.VALENCIACOLLEGE.EDU
>Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 11:44 AM
>Subject: Re: need your help - not SW-related
>
>
>I've seen "deafs."  It's rare but sometimes I'll see something like "the deafs among us were very appreciative of the captioning."   Usually used to single out those who are deaf from an inclusive group and individualize them.
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>Bill
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>On 8/20/2011 11:31 AM, Ingvild Roald wrote: 
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>>Thanks. Got it. No plural form of 'Deaf', just 'the Deaf' or 'Deaf people' etc. Thanks all,
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>>Ingvild 
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>>________________________________
>>Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2011 10:35:23 -0400
>>From: george.veronis at YALE.EDU
>>Subject: Re: need your help - not SW-related
>>To: SW-L at LISTSERV.VALENCIACOLLEGE.EDU
>>
>>
>>The word Deaf is used as both a noun and an adjective (which is never pluralized).  But I think that your best guide is to ask yourself if you have ever seen the word "deafs" used.  No one has.  So the answer is that the plural is "deaf".
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>>George Veronis
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>>On Aug 20, 2011, at 4:43 AM, Ingvild Roald wrote:
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>>>What is the English plural of 'Deaf'? Am working on a presentation of Deaf literacy, and need to be correct. Thanks,
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>>>Ingvild 
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>>Regards,
>>George 
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