As a teacher, Duckworth discovered that

Happy new year to you too!

The details that best show evidence of tribal traditions are, "never in the history of his people had a man married a woman who spoke a different tongue” and "it has never been heard," was the verdict of an old man speaking a few weeks later.

Yes, just because one had a disability doesn't change the meaning of the word. they would most likely have an (whatever language) sign language to sign what's going on. it would be the same even if he was blind.