Let’s Talk About People-First Language
March 11, 2019
People-first language, sometimes referred to as person-first language, is a type of a linguistic prescription that puts a person before a disability or diagnosis. The purpose of using people-first language is to discontinue the dehumanization of people with disabilities. This type of language describes what a person “has” and not what that person “is.”
The opposite of people-first language is identity-first language. What’s the big issue with identity-first language? Well, first of all, people with disabilities don’t like it. A lot of people with disabilities prefer to be talked about in people-first language. People with disabilities don’t want to be defined by their disability. For example, to be referred to as an “autistic person” puts autism ahead of the person. Having autism isn’t the only quality that person has. They are not their autism, they just have autism. The person is a person before they are a disability. Referring to people in identity-first language can lead to that person not getting the respect they deserve.
A bigger picture to think about is that someone having a disability shouldn’t diminish that person’s worth. The truth is, people still carry a stigma about disabilities, and they shouldn’t. Having a disability isn’t a bad thing, it’s just a thing. It’s just what someone has. Until that stigma diminishes, practice using people-first language.
While we discuss what’s appropriate, let’s talk about some terms that shouldn’t be used. You should always say no to the r-word. It’s not polite, and it should be avoided. Also, a lot of people with disabilities don’t like to be called “special needs”, so try to avoid that term, as well.
People-first language comes down to respect for other people. It’s important to treat people with kindness and respect.
Jennifer Walsh | Sep 22, 2020 at 9:58 pm
This is a super interesting topic that I’ve been doing a lot of research on and I just have a few questions/opinions regarding your article.
1. Saying “People with disabilities don’t like it” when referring to IFL is implying that all people with disabilities don’t like it. What’s your source for this? Can you really generalize and speak on behalf of the whole disabled community? From my research, I’ve come across several disabled people that actually prefer IFL because they should be accepted as their actually identity – regardless of the stereotypes and discrimination that may follow because there shouldn’t be any shame in being (and identifying as) the person they were born to be.
2. “Until that stigma diminishes, practice using person-first language”. So what action is being taken to diminish the stigma? Otherwise it seems like using PFL is just a band-aid over a much larger societal issue of discriminating against disabilities, history, demographics, etc. If we are using PFL to avoid the stigma then we’re never really facing the root of the issue that actually needs to be addressed.
3. “People first language comes down to respect for other people”. This is subjective to your opinion on the topic. Shouldn’t it really come down to the preference of the person you are talking to or about? Do they feel empowered by PFL or IFL? Let’s let them tell us what they prefer and why, instead of assuming they feel dehumanized by one or the other.
4. This topic doesn’t end at mental disabilities. Do you call yourself a junior or person that has the academic standing of a junior? A blonde or a person that has blond hair? No? So why is this only used when talking about disabilities, skin color, etc.? PFL and IFL applies across a multitude of communities, identities, and peoples. The fact that it is only practiced when talking about certain people really just emphasizes that actual issue at hand – discrimination. Fear of confronting the stigmas and stereotypes, and therefore dancing around it – also known as avoidance. This only adds to the stigmas. Isn’t the point to break the stigma? Why are we assuming people are ashamed of being autistic? Why are we assuming that they are any less capable of taking on life as neurotypicals? As a matter of fact, many autistic people have incredible abstract and critical thinking skills – that many neurotypicals aren’t able to explore as easily.
All in all, the problem is the discrimination against mental disabilities. If we simply didn’t have a stigma around Autism then we wouldn’t have this conversation. But, since the world is an imperfect place, PFL v. IFL should come down to the preference of the individual at hand. Ask how they want to be identified, what empowers them to be the person they were put on this Earth to be. Also, don’t generalize a whole population or community and say “all” of them feel a certain way. Let individuals speak for themselves, and show your support through amplifying their voices – not amplifying your own opinion on the issue. Lastly, I’m going to quote one of my favorite autistic comedians – “So, if society wants Autistics to use person-first language, that sentiment should apply to ALL PERSONS, for example: ‘person with neurotypical’ or ‘person-with-need-to-label-others-who-seem-different-than-themselves-as-disordered.’. Seems fair! #AutismAcceptance #ActuallyAutistic” -Bibi Bilodeau.