Words and phrases that make me want to scream

I have not insulted you, I've merely disagreed with you.

And I have not contradicted myself.

There is a difference between an overt, intentional slight and a perceived one. Now, two posts in a row, you argue that isn't the case. That if you perceive a term to be a slight, then it must be either intended as such, or, due to the obvious insensitivity of the speaker, it must be effectively the same as intent.

I can buy the argument that 'crippled' and 'handicap' might be better left behind, and when the common language reaches a consensus on that (and in many ways that is already happening), I'm sure it will. I'll even agree that discussing it is the mechanism that moves the issue along.

But look at the thread in the first 1.5 pages; it was about word order and how many words can you demand to make the speaker sound respectful without going too far, etc. etc.

Maybe some terms ARE insensitive. But, reacting to every non-perfect way to say something is overly sensitive, and this is key: ESPECIALLY WHEN OFFENSE IS NOT INTENDED. I am suggesting that there is a balance.

The problem with PC language control is confusing making changes in the language to make it more clear and less confrotational as being more about the motives of the users of language and less about the semantics.

Making the language more clear and precise is NOT PC.

Making it an accusation of insensitivity when no insult is intended IS PC.

~faith,
Timothy.

I think when you have a child who has a disability (or in my case, not so much a child anymore), you can occassionally get angry @ the cards that child has been dealt, and @ the system(s) that are supposed to help.

Focusing on verbage, or something else like that, is a whole heck of a lot safer than a lot of other things you might like to beat the crap out of--so focus as much as you want. It helps you deal more productively w/challenges.

JMHO.

I'm very happy you did, MTP. It is a tough thing to have someone refer your child as if he were an object.

I also dislike having to defend my child's right to participate in some activities because he doesn't look @ 1st glance "affected". I had another mom in a horsebackriding program come out and ask me what was wrong w/my son!

I don't like when people act like I'm some sort of wonderful because I adopted him. I fell in love, I didn't go out looking for a child w/disablilties, that's just the package. I haven't enjoyed all the challenges, but it was, yup, part of the package. He's not "lucky to have me", it's the other way around.

We're both dealing w/our situations the best we can.

i totally get what you mean! where i used to live they ran a 'special children's christmas party' and it used to irk me because all children are special! i know it's silly, and it's a lot less of a mouthful than the more pc 'christmas party for children with a developmental disability' but still..