POLICE in North Carolina say a deaf man was stabbed several times after his sign language was mistaken for gang signs by another man.

Terrance Ervin Daniels, 45, was using sign language with another deaf man on Wednesday when the attack happened, says Burlington Police Sergeant Mark Yancey.

He says a third person saw them, thought they were flashing gang signs and stabbed Daniels with a kitchen knife.

A neighbour saw the victim and called for help.

Sgt Yancey said on Saturday Daniels was in a stable condition at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

He said officers had arrested 22-year Robert Jarell Neal and charged him with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury and assaulting a handicapped person.

He's being held in the Alamance County jail.