Peter T. Daniels wrote:
>
> Curiously, that's not how the Deaf community sees it.
>
> Have you not noticed the distinction between Deaf and deaf?
Uh, over the years I have had occasion to work with people who were deaf
from birth, hearing impaired due to organic issues, and hearing impaired
due to wartime injuries. Although I wouldn't claim to be connected to
the "Deaf community" as a result (or the "deaf community"), I can't say
I know what the difference is either.
My guess is this is a PC distinction, and one that hasn't been very
visible (so to speak)(no pun intended) to the general population. I am
guessing that the upper case D is somewhat equivalent as a signal to the
"womyn/women" distinction, and that the more likely "def" was already
appropriated by the hip-hop community.
That is just a guess and after I wrote it I did a quick google of "deaf
community" and the first few pages of results didn't present anything
obvious that discusses the distinction. Must be pretty obscure. Please
enlighten me.
Best,
Barry