|
Inter- National terminology: Comments |
|
|
Developing this Disability Wordlist is a real challenge, not as simple as it looks. Here are some initial thoughts: - Many languages are still trying to find the 'right words' to talk about disability. What is acceptable to disabled people? What words do specialists (medical, educational, etc) use to talk about disabled people. Some are creating new words that they want others to accept. This process too many years in Britain and North America
- Some languages do not have the words to express differences that are important in others. For instance A disabled person - A person with an impairment - A person with a disability (in English); Engelli insan (in Turkish).
- In Dutch "Handicap" is in the title of the effective organisation that is leading change; in Britain this word has been 'politically incorrect' for many years. In international dialogue we must be tolerant of the words used in each culture.
- Many countries are only starting to consider disability issues only recently. In these countries, people must understand concepts before they can find words for them: first isolated individuals, then small groups of motivated people; then gradually the ideas can spread to the general public. In this change the words and action of official bodies (government, ministries, education and local authorities) will be important: when people see change they start to believe. But they must also learn to take their role in being part of the changes. This is a long and complex process. Each must go through the process to be able to mature: messages from outside can help (reading information online can inspire and encourage), but successful social changes come from local awakening, through experience and growth from inside. Each culture must have time and opportunity to mature. In Britain people no longer talk of 'Special needs' but 'Special requirements'. In Turkey (and many countries/ cultures, people must first talk of needs. The process of evolving and maturing may (or may not) lead to 'Special requirments'. Time will tell.
|
