What Are Deaf People's Thoughts Like

What are deaf people's thoughts like?

This is sort of weird, so bear with me.

Yesterday in the car I was thinking to myself and I realized that when I think, I 'hear' my own voice in my head saying the words that I'm thinking. So then I wondered, if someone doesn't know what their voice sounds like, or doesn't have speech, how do they think? Are a deaf person's thoughts in ASL?

Sorry for being weird.

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level 1

I was going to diss this thread, but then realized it might well be an actual honest question.

If you're never heard sound, a spoken word, how could you 'think' in language? (That little voice inside your head.) Do our intellectual processes then fall back to something else?

I'd love to hear a lifelong deaf individuals reply.

level 2

Yes - this is what I'm asking. I'm not trying to be funny.

level 2

Okay, so I know this sounds bad but it is the only way I can describe it.

I imagine the thoughts would either be depicted in actions in their head, like visions, or in scrolling text style, like the beginning of Star Wars.

Call me insensitive, but this is how I imagine it.

level 2

Because not all languages are spoken. Deaf people think in visual languages.

level 2

I'm actually suprised by your response. I always assumed everyone read in their head. I don't hear words when I think, I normally kind of see them, almost like there is a text box in my head.

level 2

if someone doesn't know what their voice sounds like, or doesn't have speech, how do they think?

If you're never heard sound, a spoken word, how could you 'think' in language?

Isn't that exactly the same question?

level 1

· 12y · edited 12y

I took sign language and Deaf studies in college and asked one of my Deaf professors this exact question. They think in sign language and visuals.

level 2

So then I wonder, do they think at a slower rate than hearing people? Because my voice speaking a word in my head is much quicker than a hand signing it.

level 1

I SAID, WHAT ARE DEAF PEOPLE'S THOUGHTS LIKE?

level 2

Oh, you´re just mean... Upvote.

level 1

I am taking sign language and I should ask this to my teacher. She is deaf from birth. She can kind of talk but you really have to pay attention to hear what she is saying. She only does that when no one can figure out what someone was signing in a conversation or atleast no one wants to volunteer to say it out loud so the rest of the class understands. I think deaf people think in sign language. Perhaps not visually seeing it in there head but the act of signing it out but in there head.

level 2

Please ask and get back to us!

level 1

· 12y · edited 12y

I'm no expert, but I've had a little experience with the Deaf community, and all of the profoundly deaf people who've mentioned this said they dreamed in ASL. Signed languages aren't necessarily slower than spoken languages; in some ways they're more efficient. Since space serves a grammatical role in ASL, signers can in one quick motion convey a complex phrase such as 'Will you give this to her over there'? A couple of deaf friends told me that their hands move when they talk to themselves, though I've never caught them at it.

level 1

perhaps their 'inner voice' is based on images and symbols, like sign language.

though i will say, when you are thinking, it is rare that its actually your inner voice talking to you. you think faster than that. for example, when you think of a bicycle, you dont have to say 'bicycle' in your head to know thats what you're thinking about.

words are not thoughts.

level 1

I don't know how to put it into words

level 1

i wonder if its more visual representation, rather than 'hearing' the voice in their head, they are probably better at visualizing things in their mind.

level 1

http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=buy.optionToBuy&id=2007-04668-004&CFID=4628178&CFTOKEN=35278641

Found this. Deaf people dream in sign language so I am sure they think in it too. I would imagine it would be like when you are imagining 3d structures in your head. You know that image you see that isn't really there.

Also, you know when you talk to yourself you can feel your throat moving as you do so. I would imagine that they get the same sensations with their hands. I also think it would be like reading without the thought of the sound to go with it. Pretty crazy stuff. I spent five minutes trying to think without the sounds that go with the words and its pretty crazy.

level 1

· 12y · edited 12y

Quiet?

I don't think in words. I think the words are something like a layer on top, or something that is translated from our thoughts on the fly.

level 1

They think in closed captions.

level 1

You only 'hear' your own voice when you're consciously aware of your thoughts. If you're 'hearing' your thoughts, you're not really thinking any more - you're judging. It's different. Judgment requires thought - it isn't thought.

What Are Deaf People's Thoughts Like

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