Stop using the R word

[AnonyMs]

Why stop there, what about "idiot", "imbecile" and "moron"?

Apparently all these words were once medical terms, and retarded was another medical term introduced to replace them. Here's one of many links I found.

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/03/the-words-moron-imbecile-and-idiot-mean-different-things/

Got to wonder how the meaning of words changes like this.

[Pikachu]

It's not just those words. A lot of words had significantly different meanings at different points in time. Language evolves with the times. And words also have different meanings depending on location. Just like the word "->-bleeped-<-" being used to refer to a cigarette in some places, while in others it would be seen exclusively as a homophobic slur.

[Rachelicious]

I'd argue that the impulse towards pejoritivism itself can be far more perfidious and revealing of one's character than simple word choice.

[Shantel]

So I should tell my young friend who is a regular participant in the Special Olympics that the words he uses to describe the condition of he and his friends is a bad word and that he shouldn't use it any longer? As if he already feels a little less significant! As for me this stuff doesn't sit well at all as I live in a free country and can still freely think my own thoughts and speak my own mind without submitting to the mind controlling PC mumbo-jumbo that the group-think crowd espouses here. It's no-one's fault when a Down's Syndrome child or any child with a mental disability comes into the world and I applaud the parents who decide not to abort, because some of these kids are such a blessing in so many ways. On the other hand when some woman is bitter about her child's condition and draws national attention to a word, her agenda is to will it away as if it doesn't exist and the rest of society has to bear the brunt of her bitterness including all who suffer these disabilities who just want to blend in like some other people I know here.

[Jill F]

Context

[Pikachu]

Oh, don't assume I'm in any way part of the language policing crowd just because I don't personally use the word, Shan. I would never tell anyone what words they should or shouldn't say. I'm very much against all the politically correct policing that goes on these days, whether or not it affects me personally.

I don't use the word, but I couldn't care less if others do.

[Shantel]

Context

yup!

[Devlyn]

Shantel, FYI, Special Olympics started the whole thing: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spread_the_Word_to_End_the_Word

[Servalan]

Apparently all these words were once medical terms, and retarded was another medical term introduced to replace them.

That's right, which is why I posted them

Censorship is the wrong approach, a slippery slope.  It's not language, but attitudes that have to change.

[AnonyMs]

That's right, which is why I posted them

Its good to see I'm not the only one who likes the subtle approach.

Censorship is the wrong approach, a slippery slope.  It's not language, but attitudes that have to change.

I don't think that's going to happen, ever.

It's not just those words. A lot of words had significantly different meanings at different points in time. Language evolves with the times. And words also have different meanings depending on location. Just like the word "->-bleeped-<-" being used to refer to a cigarette in some places, while in others it would be seen exclusively as a homophobic slur.

While language changes generally, I think there's something special about these words. There's racial ones that started out like this too. The meaning changes from medical or neutral descriptive words, and turns into pejoratives, especially because people think groups that these words describe are inferior. I'd imagine there are some for the transgender community too, but insulting people is not really my thing. I stay away from terms that describe actual real groups of people.

[Nicodeme]

I don't think that's a current diagnosis

*shrug* as far as I know the medical language has remained unchanged. Thankfully, slang has shifted.

[Danielle Emmalee]

It's okay for the oppressed group to use whatever words they want to describe themselves and not okay for anyone else to use any words that person in said group has stated is offensive.  This goes for all oppressed groups; transgender, queer, non-whites, disabled people, non neurotypical people, women, etc

[rosinstraya]

If I wanted "group think" I'd head off to Fox News.

Because some people in the USA and elsewhere like to use the word "retarded", does not mean that the rest of us have to. That too is a choice.

There has been an Increased use of phrases like "don't be so retarded!"  And "that's so gay". You can't physically stop people from using offensive terms but you ca discourage their use. The term "that's PC gone mad!" Is usually just an excuse to have a free rein to be as rude and offensive as we like. I choose not to use those terms. Again, if I want political correctness, I'll head to the "free-thinkers" back at Fox News.

[Cindy]

Please refer to ToS

5. The posting of messages on the chat or forums which are of a threatening tone; intended solely to communicate sarcasm, contempt, or derision; are intended to belittle or ridicule a person or group; to disgust the viewer; contain obscene or pornographic materials; which are intended to titillate; or which depicts illegal acts; will not be permitted.

10. Bashing or flaming of any individuals or groups is not acceptable behavior on this web site and will not be tolerated in the slightest for any reason.  This includes but is not limited to:
Advocating the separation or exclusion of one or more group from under the Transgender umbrella term
Suggesting or claiming that one segment or sub-segment of our community is more or less legitimate, deserving, or real than any others

[Servalan]

Have I or anyone else here violated the ToS?

[Cindy]

Have I or anyone else here violated the ToS?

I never said you or anyone had. I was pointing out that insulting, deriding or deliberately offending people is already banned.

[Servalan]

OK...

[Devlyn]

*shrug* as far as I know the medical language has remained unchanged. Thankfully, slang has shifted.

We're talking about words that can hurt people. Your empty speculation is less than helpful.

http://www.m.webmd.com/children/intellectual-disability-mental-retardation

The first sentence from the Webmd link:

"Intellectual disability (ID), once called mental retardation, is characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ..."

[Cindy]

I have pointed out the site rules.

Topic locked