Language - Appropriate Boundaries

Do you ever think about how you refer to people?

Of course you do – nobody goes out of their way to cause offence – or do they?

Over the years, the language we use when talking about disability and impairments has changed dramatically. Often certain words or terms used by our elders, or even ourselves as children, are no longer acceptable. It is imperative that we, as a society, realise that the language we use affects the way we view disabled people and realise that negative stereo-typing can cause a feeling of humiliation and be degrading. But let’s be honest, above all this, is the fact that it is just downright rude!

Today, in our world of political correctness there is much confusion as to what is right and wrong. We feel worried about saying the wrong thing and putting our foot in our mouth unintentionally. So what is right and wrong? What are the appropriate boundaries?

Let me pose a question to you:

“I am a wheelchair user and I have the nickname “Crip”.
Is it okay for you to use this?”

Well – have you got an answer yet?

Whilst I may jokingly refer to myself as “Crip” to people I know very, very well – and I mean very well indeed – I would never use this moniker in an unfamiliar group or environment. I would most definitely have words to say if one of my close family members or friends used it in those circumstances. So is this hypocritical – most definitely but we need to look at the wider picture.

A conversation took place recently between two of my work colleagues. Like many daytime conversations this banter was light-hearted and took place between two people who know each other extremely well both professionally and socially. Person 1 joked about Person 2 being "a nutter”. Simple enough, no offence was meant and none was taken but do we know for certain that another work colleague saw it that way. This term could easily have been seen as portraying a negativity and ignorance towards Mental Health Issues and may have caused unintentional offence.

Maybe there are no right or wrong answers but we need to be aware of the appropriate boundaries. Life is a juggling act and every day we make assessments on our behaviour. Most of us would not go into a job interview and swear for England neither would we walk down the High Street naked (well most of us wouldn’t). No, we adjust our language and our behaviour to fit the environment and company we are in.

That is all that can be asked of us:- be aware of how our actions may be perceived by others.