Eli5 What is the difference between being “mute” and being “nonverbal”?

Question

Eli5 What is the difference between being “mute” and being “nonverbal”?

In: 11

Answer 1

Being “mute” means that a person is physically unable to speak or chooses not to speak, even though they have the ability to, while “nonverbal” means someone who doesn’t use spoken words to communicate, but may still use gestures, sign language, or other forms of communication to express themselves.

So, think of it like this: someone who is “mute” is like a TV with no sound – there’s no way for them to speak. Someone who is “nonverbal” is like a TV that’s on mute – they can still communicate, but not through spoken words.