Philip,
I don't think that you can expect a unified use of language across all
cultures, because each culture has its own, unique historical cultural
context in addition to the fact that disability itself is a social/cultural
construction (see Colin Oliver) - not to mention translations from different
languages. Language changes over time (e.g. the word "gay" in the west), and
words associated with disability may have assumed derogatory, negative
connotations in one culture, but not in another. Words may also be
"reclaimed" by a minority group and given a new, positive connotation. So, I
think it's not that simple...or does anyone disagree?
Lynne
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