Does language matter?

[kat]

There has occasionally been talk on PD about language use and disability - specifically, what kinds of terms should and should not be used to describe various disability-related things. I'd be very interested to spark some more discussion on the topic. Some questions to get it started could be:

Does it matter whether someone who uses a wheelchair is said to be "in a wheelchair", "confined to a wheelchair", or a "wheelchair user"?
Where do you stand on the fact that PWDs are often referred to as "wheelers" on PD, even though many are not wheelchair users?
Where do you stand on terms like "disabled", "handicapped", "crippled" or "PWD (person with a disability)"?

I personally believe that the language we use around disability (just like the language we use around any topic) matters. Individual occurrences of someone using the "wrong" term obviously aren't serious. However, when we continue to promote the use of loaded terms like "confined to a wheelchair", it does contribute to the general image people have of disability. But this is just one view, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

[lacuna]

Interesting idea Kat!

I disagree, I think that language is less important than context and implication. I think a disabled person can be limited more in the way they perceive language used by them (or at them) than perhaps someone without disabilities, but any limitation begins and ends with how you feel about yourself and your situation.

There is no right or wrong word in my opinion, and that's great! The only thing that matters is how you see yourself, which I hope isn't reflected in whatever arbitrary term is popular or unpopular at the time.

When I talk about my own situation I try and use words people would ordinarily avoid, (gimp, cripple, 'tard and others) mostly because I find it funny when they seem surprised, but also because I think the only way to strip them of this unwarranted power they seem to have is to use them in everyday conversation.

[kat]

Jun 8, 2016 13:10:17 GMT -5 lacuna said:

When I talk about my own situation I try and use words people would ordinarily avoid, (gimp, cripple, 'tard and others) mostly because I find it funny when they seem surprised, but also because I think the only way to strip them of this unwarranted power they seem to have is to use them in everyday conversation.

I've noticed that quite a lot of people do this. I agree that e.g. you calling yourself by those terms is a way to remove the "stigma" from those words... BUT do you really think it would be okay for other people to refer to you (or to people with disabilities in general) by using those words?

[lucretia]

I think it matters, but perhaps less now than it used to.

Now, when someone uses a problematic term, it's often on social media, or brought to social media, and a hundred people will let them know how they feel about it.

I used to be what my daughter calls a SJW. I was my own first line of defense in the war for... just fill in the blank. Have cause, will be an activist. I just have that in my nature. I see something objectionable, I do or say something about it.

So I have been with language. I have talked with countless people about their word choices. When I hear the words "bound" or "confined", I do make a particular point to have a conversation and offer my husband's word choice, "user". He says "wheelchair user".

However, as I'm getting older, perhaps wiser, definitely crankier, I find myself less and less willing to take up the charge.

At the same time, I see others do so. People, especially young people, are discussing language, labels, terms, in ever larger numbers.

I think as we are more and more globally connected, our relationship with language is changing. People who just a few years ago would have never even known about each other are now only a snapchat away from each other. Our language is changing just as our ways of communication is changing.

I still think the words we use have meaning. I still think choosing appropriate words is important. I definitely still feel the terms we use to label each other are important. There should always be a degree of respect in any communication. With that in mind, I think most people wouldn't use problematic terms. I will still take a moment and have a discussion about respectful terms.

I just think we have, and are creating, so many terms for so many things, it's becoming less important to "campaign" for a certain political correctness.

[hail]

Nice thread, Kat. I'm in your camp that language matters. In regards to language, some days I'm a disabled person and others a person with a disability. I've tried to rid myself of as much ableist language as possible. People often throw around words like idiot and stupid without recognizing their disparaging qualities and judgements on intelligence. I used to be really self depricating but as I've accepted myself and situation I've moved on from it. People should be able to identify and refer to themselves as they wish.

[lacuna]

Jun 8, 2016 13:41:43 GMT -5 kat said:

Jun 8, 2016 13:10:17 GMT -5 lacuna said:

When I talk about my own situation I try and use words people would ordinarily avoid, (gimp, cripple, 'tard and others) mostly because I find it funny when they seem surprised, but also because I think the only way to strip them of this unwarranted power they seem to have is to use them in everyday conversation.

I've noticed that quite a lot of people do this. I agree that e.g. you calling yourself by those terms is a way to remove the "stigma" from those words... BUT do you really think it would be okay for other people to refer to you (or to people with disabilities in general) by using those words?

I would, those terms are good for two things, one I mentioned already, which is tickling my funny bone. The other is as a wonderful eejit detector :-P

If someone used those words to describe me, and the connotation they mean to infer is negative, it's a brilliant way of me being able to classify that person as someone to pay no interest to whatsoever. The fact that they would attach some negative inference to those words when throwing them in my direction doesn't mean that those words become synonymous with the meaning one ingrate felt the need to give them. :-)

...as an example I have a friend who calls me 'gimpy' as a term of endearment :-P

[darthoso]

I think it just depends on what has been accomplished in your part of the world. If you live in a State or Country with great disability laws and services then I think it's fair to discuss how language affects equality. That said if you're in an area that hasn't adopted progressive disability policies that promote accessibility and economic opportunity, then I see the language debate as a waste of SocioPolitical capital. The LGBT movement didn't start with gay marriage and language, it started decades before that with getting help for those with HIV. That's where the disability movement largely still in most of the world including the US. For me it's just a question of priorities, word choice doesn't build ramps or pay PCAs.

[Hopper]

It all depends on the context and what particular words are used. I know that sounds vague but to me, you can't put it any simpler.

Well, perhaps I can, but I'm not going to. So there.

[matisse]

"Confined to a wheelchair" is one of my pet peeves, particularly because it is so common in the media. I don't like it because I don't think it's understood literally. The word "confined" spills over into people's perceptions about our whole lives and what we can (can't) do in our chairs.

[Corey]

I think you can tell a lot about a person and how they view disability based on the language they use. But I dont get bothered by it

[lucretia]

Jun 8, 2016 16:45:08 GMT -5 matisse said:

"Confined to a wheelchair" is one of my pet peeves, particularly because it is so common in the media. I don't like it because I don't think it's understood literally. The word "confined" spills over into people's perceptions about our whole lives and what we can (can't) do in our chairs.

That and "wheelchair bound".

Unless you are planning a trip TO a wheelchair, then I suppose it would be ok.

Both terms convey the exact opposite of what a wheelchair is.

In my opinion.

[Tek]

I can't speak for anyone else. But I have to agree with some of the people above. It's all about context, tone and the sensibilities of whoever is listening. Some people are overly eager to be offended by anything. This includes, in my eyes/ears, perfectly acceptable terms like "wheelchair bound" or the dutch term "invalide" which (surprise!) means "(an) invalid" or "disabled".

It's the tone that stings. Whenever people talk about the disabled as if they are a burden I get stung a little.

In the grand scheme of things I agree that the right language is important. But this includes avoiding bullshit terms like "differently abled" "physically challenged" or *shudder* "handicapable". The coddling and sometimes patronizing terms that are used by so many people to "make something sound more positive" always seem to have an adverse affect and end up turning other words into a taboo. I hope that whatever happens, the terms just call it like it is. I am "disabled". I am "wheelchair bound" 80% of the day because I can't stand up and walk away from it. I'm a uninterested in protecting my own, or anyone else's, feelings on this matter.

[matisse]

Did anyone actually ever use handicapable? I always thought it was a joke and it makes me chuckle every time I see it.

[devogirl]

Language does matter, because it both reflects and shapes our perceptions. IMHO it's not about sparing someone's precious feelings, but communicating a positive vs a negative image. Many people do not have personal experience with disability but they will use and hear these words all the time. So using a neutral term is better than one laden with tragedy or scorn. Likewise, the gay rights struggle in the 1980s wasn't only about HIV but also reclaiming slurs like "gay" and "queer" in a positive sense.

Getting worked up over which terms to use and self-righteously scolding others for using the wrong words can be a distraction from dealing with real issues, and it's frustrating when that happens. But that doesn't mean it's unimportant. When real change happens, attitudes and language use shift together.

[Mets]

Jun 8, 2016 18:04:16 GMT -5 matisse said:

Did anyone actually ever use handicapable? I always thought it was a joke and it makes me chuckle every time I see it.

I first heard it when I was like 8 and I thought it was awesome. I now realize how ridiculous it is.