Why Person-First Language is Important: Examples That Prove Its Impact

In the world we live in, language has the power to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviours. The use of language can have a profound impact on how we perceive others and treat them. One of the most significant changes in recent years has been the shift towards person-first language, which puts the person before their disability or condition. It may seem like a small shift, but it can have a huge impact on how individuals with disabilities are perceived and treated in society. In this article, we will explore the importance of person-first language and look at some examples that prove its impact.

What is Person-First Language?

Person-first language is a form of linguistic prescriptivism that seeks to put the person before their disability or other condition. This approach recognizes that a person’s disability or condition is only one aspect of their identity and should not define them as a whole. It emphasizes that individuals with disabilities are people first and foremost and deserve to be treated as such.

Why is Person-First Language Important?

The language we use can have a profound impact on how we perceive and treat individuals with disabilities. Person-first language is essential because it recognizes the individuality and humanity of people with disabilities. By using person-first language, we show respect for their autonomy, dignity, and worth as individuals, and not just as their disability or condition.

Moreover, person-first language can help to combat ableism, which is discrimination against people with disabilities. Ableism is often perpetuated by the language we use, which can reinforce negative stereotypes and attitudes towards individuals with disabilities. Person-first language can help to change this by emphasizing the person rather than the disability or condition.

Examples That Prove the Impact of Person-First Language

Let’s take a look at some examples to better understand the impact of using person-first language.

In the past, it was common to use terms like “the disabled” or “the blind” to refer to individuals with disabilities. By using these terms, we reduce individuals to their disability or condition, and this can create a sense of otherness that can be dehumanizing. Person-first language changes this by emphasizing the person before their disability. For example, a person with a disability or a person who is blind recognizes that the individual is first and foremost a person, with their disability or condition being a secondary aspect of their identity.

Another example is the use of the words “victim” and “sufferer” when referring to individuals with disabilities. These terms suggest that the individual is helpless and powerless, which reinforces negative stereotypes. Person-first language changes this by using more empowering language that emphasizes the individual’s agency and autonomy. For example, a person living with a disability or a person who has a chronic condition acknowledges that the individual is not a victim or sufferer, but rather a person who is living with a specific challenge.

Conclusion

In conclusion, person-first language is an essential tool in promoting inclusivity and combatting ableism. By putting the person before their disability or other condition, we recognize the individual’s humanity and worth as individuals. The use of person-first language can have a profound impact on how we perceive and treat individuals with disabilities, and it is a small but significant step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society. Through its use, we can challenge negative stereotypes and attitudes and promote a more positive and accepting view of individuals with disabilities.