in a comment I got recently, in a post called “corky the retarded” someone wanted me to define “normal.” That comment inspired this post.

Normal has mulitple definitions, and many of those definitions depend on the context in which the word is used. All words are either normative or non-normative depending on how they are used. (Normative indicates a use of value judgment, such as good or bad.)

“Biology. Functioning or occurring in a natural way; lacking observable abnormalities or deficiencies.”

What I am talking about here is equating the word “normal” with good and the word “abnormal” with bad - the normative indications of the word “normal.” I didn’t use the term “normal” in the casual sense, but rather in the more specific, non-normative sense.  I didn’t pass judgment. I didn’t equate normal with good.  I indicated that I thought Corky was “abnormal” and that he shouldn’t/couldn’t date women who were “normal.” Corky functions at a level of intelligence that is so much lower that those around him that he CANNOT function as they do. That is not a judgment - it is a FACT of his life. 

I usually say that I work with adults who are developmentally disabled.  I often have to further define by saying they are ”retarded." I don’t say “I work with retards.” I say “I work with adults who are retarded.” They ARE retarded. It’s is the psychological designation.  Their development has been retarded - whether it from birth or from an injury.  I’ve been told that I am being rude or insensitive to call my clients “retarded.” You may think that I am being rude or insensitive.  It is perfectly acceptable to use the term retarded when talking about someone who has the clinical diagnosis of retardation.  If i were diagnosed as being schizophrenic, would you use another term for me? Something easier on YOUR ears? No. You would say “Luka is schizophrenic.”

People have used the term “retarded” in a derogatory sense for far too long. People have used the term “normal” to indicate “the good way - the best way.” When using these terms, you really need to think about WHAT they mean. As well as HOW they are being used.