What is the difference between big ‘D’ and little ‘d’?

Question

In ASL/Deaf literature, sometimes the word ‘deaf’ is written with a big ‘D’ and other times a little ‘d.’ Why?

Answer 1

There are two elements of deafness (or d/Deafness) when it comes to the Deaf community.

Upper-case "D" Deaf: This term (Deaf) often refers to an individual who was born culturally Deaf and is an avid user of American Sign Language (ASL). This individual is proud to be considered Deaf and more than likely grew up in a local Deaf community with other Deaf individuals. Deaf individuals tend to see themselves as gaining Deaf Culture rather than losing their hearing and will often utilize the use of ASL as their main form of communication.

Lower-case "d" deaf: This term (deaf) often refers to a medical diagnosis rather than a cultural one. If a person who is born hearing loses this ability late in life (such as an elderly grandparent), they would be considered deaf rather than Deaf. These deaf individuals would likely utilize the use of hearing aids and have no real connection to the Deaf Community in most cases.

I hope this helps clear up your question!

Answer 2

You may notice that sometimes the word ‘deaf’ is written with a lowercase ‘d’ also referred to as little ‘d’ and other times it’s written with an uppercase ‘D’ also known as Big ‘D.’ The difference comes down to the person’s affiliation with and view of the Deaf community and its culture. A person is considered a Big ‘D’ if they are a member if the community, sign, and are generally proud of their deafness. A person is classified as a little ‘d’ if they have a hearing loss but aren’t part of the signing Deaf community. It merely refers to their hearing status.