Audism is a term that has gained increasing attention in recent years. It is a concept that describes the discrimination and prejudice experienced by those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Audism is a complex phenomenon that can manifest in many different ways, and it is important to understand what it means and how it affects people.
Definitions
Audism is a term that was coined by Tom Humphries, a deaf scholar, in the 1970s. It refers to the belief that hearing people are superior to deaf people and that deaf people are defined by their lack of hearing. Audism can manifest in many different ways, from the use of negative stereotypes to the denial of access to education, employment, and other opportunities.
Origin
The term audism was first used by Tom Humphries in his book “Communicating Across Cultures: The Interpretation of American Sign Language.” Humphries used the term to describe the discrimination and prejudice that he and other deaf people experienced in the hearing world. Since then, the term has been widely adopted by the deaf community and has gained increasing recognition in academic and social circles.
Meaning in different dictionaries
Audism is not a term that is widely recognized in mainstream dictionaries. However, some specialized dictionaries, such as the Gallaudet Dictionary of American Sign Language, include definitions of audism. In this dictionary, audism is defined as “the notion that one is superior based on one’s ability to hear or behave in the manner of one who hears.”
Associations
Audism is often associated with other forms of discrimination, such as racism and sexism. Like these other forms of discrimination, audism can be both overt and subtle. Some examples of audism include assuming that all deaf people can read lips, denying deaf people access to sign language interpreters, and using negative stereotypes to describe deaf people.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for audism, including deafism, hearingism, and hearing privilege. These terms all describe the same phenomenon, which is the belief that hearing people are superior to deaf people and that deaf people are defined by their lack of hearing.
Antonyms
The antonyms of audism are deaf empowerment and deaf culture. These terms describe the movement towards recognizing and celebrating deaf culture and the unique experiences of deaf people. Deaf empowerment seeks to challenge the negative stereotypes and discrimination that deaf people face and to promote equal access to education, employment, and other opportunities.
The same root words
Audism is derived from the Latin word “audio,” which means “to hear.” Other words that share this root include audio, auditorium, and audition.
Example Sentences
- Audism can be seen in the way that many hearing people view deaf people as being inferior or disabled.
- Deaf people often experience audism in the workplace, where they may be denied access to important information or excluded from meetings.
- The deaf community has been working to raise awareness of audism and to promote equal access to education, employment, and other opportunities.
- Audism is a form of discrimination that can have serious consequences for the lives of deaf people, including limited access to healthcare and social services.