Person with a disability - reply moved to off topic

While I prefer being referred to as disabled rather than hjandicapped, the latter doesn't especially bother me.

Interesting. I used the Delete button for the first time. You hit 'Delete Now', and then get a message saying, "You have chosen not to delete your message" and returning you to the forum.

I just have to say, and I know that this is a little late in the game, that words are not fixed -- there is no rule-bound "proper" use for them and nor should there be -- language is fluid and defintions are more so. The reason we have such a large linguistic element to certain political movements is because we realize and also rightly so, that language has a lot of power. It shapes the way we actually think (and if you don't believe me, go read some books on congnitive linguistics) and it shapes the way we view the world.

At the same time, we must understand that language is changeable, mutable, but we can still alter our thought processes via the language we use. In that way, movements like the movement to remove the word "handicap" from our generalized usage are actually responding to something very real. And by and large, these kinds of movements have been successful. Remember the whole "lady" thread? Not many women I know actually *want* to be called a "lady" anymore because now it connotes a lot of "good girl" stuff that we can't bear to associate ourselves with. At one time, of course, "Lady" was never used in general reference to women -- only in reference to women who were actually nobility of some sort. Then, in American English, the word changed once our more egalitarian society got hold of it so that for many years lady did refer to a "polite or refined woman." Now it means that but it also has the added connotation of "polite doormat woman."

But the etymology of Lady says very little about our own 21st century reaction to the word. It simply tells us where the word came from and how the world was originally used. Believe me, we have plenty of words in everyday use with connotations that don't even resemble their etymology. Therefore, I must say that no matter where a word comes from, it is necessary and important to also pay attention to the way it is used colloquially.

The word "handicap" no matter where it came from, has some negative connotations for many people. That means that the use of the word is falling out of favor. But that doesn't mean the word will vanish or is irrelevant. It just means that meaning has altered and in another 100 years, the meaning may alter again. We do not, as a general rule, use a certain N word -- in any circusmstances. But most Americans, anyway, still know the word and understand it's meaning and connotations. But that also has nothing to do with the etymology of the word. We don't use it because it's offense, end of discussion. Still, you all know what I mean when I say "the N word." At least, you know which word I am referring to.

So I guess my long convoluted point is that both sides of this debate are actually correct -- those who find no harm in the word handicap are applying a connotation that might be a bit out of date and/or out of use in some areas of the country. Those that dislike the word are responding to a newer connotation that is important to certain groups/areas of the country. The word "disabled" has only generally been in "PC" usage for I'd guess around 20 to 25 years ( I have no hard data on this) and that is a relatively new usage when you look at language. It's not at all surprising that one group would still see the word as innofensive while one group would not.

What you are really talking about is something even more fascinating than the argument itself-- how a word changes and mutes and becomes something else over time.

Zana

p.s. for a good education on this I would suggest Bill Bryson's book _Made in America: An Informal History of The English Language in the United States._ It is an excellent and fascinating read and also a fantastic education all in one fell swoop.

Selador, it is a little counterintuitive, but you have to check the checkbox to the left AND hit the delete button. Kinda odd when there is only one thing to delete, but I've seen worse.

Zana, interesting point about the "lady" issue. I had never heard of the "cap in hand" connotation that makes the word "handicapped" offensive to some people, but having seen it here, I can better understand the sentiment. Likewise, I never considered "lady" to have a "doormat" connotation. I tend to think of "lady" as an analog to "gentleman". "Man" and "woman" merely state the sex (and species) of the person being referenced. As I use the terms, "lady" and "gentleman" are a little more complementary and infer that the person is thoughtful of others, polite and well mannered.

Lady is an honorific. As in Lords and Ladies. As in Lady Di, AKA Princess Di.

Does that mean that the only person who can use the "Ladies Room" is a peer of the realm? Actually, in "Lady Di", lady is a title, as well as an honorific. A Lady is not necessarily a lady. A lady is not necessarily a Lady.

Right, Dusty .

I used "lady" because it came up in the threads recently -- I just mean that some women, especially if they tend toward the feminist, don't really like that word particularly. It's like Mrs. -- I don't really like being described by my marital status or even my last name to be honest (of course I'm not a typical woman either, my husband took _my_ last name ). In a formal situation I'd rather be called Ms. Zana (er insert FL name) than Mrs. Feaver. Lady has a similar connotation for some people. Point is -- I'm just saying that both uses of the word are actually correct .

Zana

The more I think about it, the more it seems that certain words like handicapped have only developed negative connotations because of ignorance or misinformation. I'm not stating that as a fact; but I still have yet to hear WHY the word, or certain other words, are suddenly turning bad.

Bhodi - I checked your link out and did a quick internet search for "consumer directed movement" but I couldn't find anything seemingly related at all. Maybe I'm looking for the wrong thing?

Sorry, I should have explained more... the "consumer directed movement" in disability rights work is simply the movement lead by people with disabilities (consumers of the services for persons with disabilities). Their rallying cry is "Nothing about us without us," which has been a significant problem for people with disabilities in the past.

I don't know if the site has anything on the word handicapped, I just wanted to point you to it as the home site of the movement.

I'm still asking around about the BEGINNINGS of the movement away from the word Handicapped and towards the words "person with a disability." (My boss is thrilled I've taken such an interest in people first language, since normally I'm not the person who does community ed on this!) Our resident expert is out today at a conference, but when he gets back I'll give you the scholarly answer.

The short answer is that the word handicapped was used a lot during a period in which people with disablities had very few civils rights - preADA, as it were. The ADA itself (American's with Disabilities Act) does not use the word "handicapped", and since it is the legal basis for most of the advances in the rights of persons with disabilities, it's seen as a crucial turning point. Therefore, the word "handicapped" has been freighted with meetings associated with paternalsim, a lack of freedom, and forced nursing home care. The word "disability" has been associated with the law granting autonomy to persons with disabilities. Therefore, it has become the preferred term.

WHEW!

Bhodi

Bhodi: " We are definately not a bunch of PC fanatics out here - we're big old stinky hillbillies! "

I am truly hoping the irony in that statement is intentional.

But of course!

Bhodi,

Thanks for the explanation.

I have to say, though, I find it ironic that 'disabled' is the preferred term, because while 'handicapped' describes a person who has to strive harder to achieve the same ends, 'disabled' seems to focus on the fact that the person experiences some kind of loss of function.

I understand the accretions of stuff that the term 'handicapped' has evidently gathered over the years, but I know what I would prefer.

"Disabled" is not the preferred term... "Person with a disability" is. A truly "disabled" person would be... dead!

B