Changing language will only change attitudes if it becomes ritualised -
that is when it gets to the point that society becomes so accustomed to
using it that it is second nature. Otherwise changes in language are simply
rhetoric - the UK Government's change from 'integration' to 'inclusion'
being a case in point. Whereas I agree that it is not helpful to IMPOSE
forms of language on people who do not or cannot own them, social change
will not happen if we cannot agree on the meaning of language and we cannot
present a consistent message. Consistency is not helped when a particular
term (like disability) has two meanings in circulation which contradict
each other and one HAS the force of ritual.
Mairian
>To all
>
>This posting is a reply of some sort to Anita's posting
>about politically correct langauge and attitude change.
>As someone very interested in language and disability I
>always treat a new "PC" word about disability with
>suspicion This is because some of the time the word seems
>to me (and perhaps to me alone) to make those who do not
>have a disabily feel more comfortable. This is in some
>ways positive, if people feel more comfortable then the
>conditions for people of all abilities to interact are
>created.
>
>However, I get very angry when I'm told by the latest
>survey not only what term is preferred but what you MUST
>call people with disabilities. I am very weary of the
>effect of collectives on the individual. Even if such and
>such a word is better what moral right do they have to
>impose a defining word on anyone. When I was Equal
>opportunities officier at my college I was given a list by
>a member of staff which I had to tell the rest of the
>college at a committee to call disabled people.
>
>This list eliminated disabled, disability as PC terms
>allowing only Person/s With A Disability left. While this
>MAY be an approvment , personally saying " I have a
>disability or I am disabled" is fine to me, but I do not
>impose these titles on any other person with disability,
>make them speak my language.
>
>As to whether it changes attitudes, I if ind is down to a
>kind of psychology. If the word replacing is different from
>the word being replaced then people notice a difference.
>By different I mean phonetically and semantically e.g
>Handicapped to disablility is a big difference but Persons
>with Disability, while it does separate the person from the
>condition is not so noticeable.
>
>
>----------------------
>M.G.Peckitt
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*********
"To understand what I am doing, you need a third eye"
*********
Mairian Corker
Senior Research Fellow in Deaf and Disability Studies
University of Central Lancashire
Postal Address:
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