3 Greek Philosphers about "sign language" and "regard teaching Deaf to speak as a waste of time"

Plato, Greek Philospher (Greek philospher, born 427; death 347 B.C.)

The opinions of SOCRATES (born circa 470; death 399 B.C.) can be found in the writing of PLATO. Socrates said that if he were to become deaf, he would use sign language. This statement appears in a discussion with his friend, mermogenes, in the work Cratylus.

Aristotle, Greek Philospher (Born 384; Death 322 B.C.)

ARISTOTLE wrote that people who are"born deaf become senseless and incapable of reason," and "men that are born deaf are in all case dumb; that is to say, they can make vocal noises, but they cannot speak." For centuries, these statements have been used to justify withholding basic human rights from deaf people, and to regard teaching them to speak as a waste of time. Aristotle's statements may have been taken out of context and misinterpreted. Nevertheless, the negative connotations left in people's minds have adversely affected deaf individuals.

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