Page 308 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

Chapter 10 Language: Making Verbal Sense of the Message 275

cause these students have felt offended enough
to tell us outside of class.

Avoid Stereotypes

Do you see anything wrong with the following
references?
“John’s a victim of cystic fi brosis.”
“Don’t forget that Susan’s wheelchair
bound!”
“It’s okay, Lupe, there’s plenty of disabled
seating in the new auditorium.”
“The Howards’ baby is physically
challenged.”

According to the Disabled Student Services on
our campus, each of these statements is con- This tennis player defi es the stereotyping language so
structed with inappropriate language. If you’re often used to describe persons with disabilities.
surprised, then please know that so were we.
We’ve heard terms like victim of and physically
challenged used by people in all walks of life, including student speakers.
The fact that we think we know what constitutes appropriate language doesn’t
excuse us from researching the subject. Language is dynamic and in a continu-
ous process of change. What’s more, words such as victim or terms such as wheel-
chair bound once were acceptable. Today, however, people with disabilities are
defi ning their own terms on their own grounds. Further, in doing so, those with
disabilities have said they prefer the following descriptors to the fi rst set we listed
for you:
“John has cystic fi brosis.”
“Don’t forget that Susan’s in a wheelchair.”
“It’s okay, Lupe; there’s plenty of accessible seating in the new auditorium.”
“The Howards’ baby has a disability.”
Thus, we want to remind you of the adage “It’s better to remain silent and
be thought a fool than to open your mouth and prove it.” When in doubt about
words and their consequences, consult an authority.
Of course, it is not just people with disabilities who are stereotyped. People
in different professions, of different ethnicities, and with different sexual orien-
tations, to name just a few categories, are frequently the subject of stereotypic
language. The competent speaker avoids such stereotypes. One particular type
of stereotype deserves discussion in its own right, sexist language.

sexist language
Avoid Sexist Language
Language, such as
housewife and fi reman,
Sexist language is language that stereotypes gender roles, for example, house-
that stereotypes gender
wife and fireman. Why is sexist language a problem? It conveys, intentionally or
roles.
not, a stereotype of certain roles and functions, based on biological sex. When the