deafisms

Noun

deafism (countable and uncountable, plural deafisms)

1. A stereotypy characteristic of deaf people.
   • In other words, to analyze and fully understand "deafisms" is a problem of considerable complexity and consequence. For a decade we have been studying this language phenomenon through analyzing the written language of the deaf in comparison with those who have other types of language disorders and...1963, Report of the Proceedings of the International Congress on Education of the Deaf and of the Forty-First Meeting of the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf, page 162
2. (uncountable) Prejudice against deaf people.
   • The best place to fight Hollywood deafism is in our deaf schools. If we give our children understanding and appreciation of our rich culture and sign language, the students will gain a deaf heritage and become more creative, more aware, and more assertive global deaf citizens.1994, Bruce N. Snider, Carol Erting, Robert C. Johnson, The Deaf Way, page 734