The word 'dumb' means 'unable to speak', but is often used as an insult to describe someone who isn't clever. If you've seen the film 'Dumb and Dumber' you'll know what we mean.

The following paragraph is taken from the National Deaf Children's Society website. They work with deaf children across the UK. Here's what they think about the term 'deaf and dumb' and another old-fashioned phrase 'deaf mute'…

'Not only are these terms perceived as offensive by deaf people, but they are also an extremely inaccurate description of the effects of deafness. The word 'dumb' implies stupidity, 'mute' suggests unable to communicate. This is wrong. Deaf people are neither more nor less intelligent than anyone else, and are able to communicate.'

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