A LANGUAGE FOR DIGNITY

Language is powerful and the words we use convey meaning to different individuals and groups. The words and phrases we use to identify folks can amplify or diminish one’s humanity. One approach (to amplifying someone’s humanity) is to use person first language (PFL). The intent behind PFL is to provide dignity to a particular group of people.

What exactly is Person First Language (PFL)?

Person First Language (PFL) emphasizes the person before their identity. You may have heard of PFL in regards to people with disabilities. However, PFL is not exclusive to people with disabilities. In fact, PFL can and should be extended to other marginalized communities. For example, you can apply PFL to people who are incarcerated and people who are at lower-income levels.

Here are some examples:

Content warning: As you are reading the terms below, you may feel like these terms are inappropriate or outdated. However, these terms are used for educational purposes only. The ultimate goal is to grapple with our language choices. 

PFL terms related to criminal justice

• Convict Person convicted of a crime

• Offender/Felon Person who was convicted of a felony

• Prisoner Person who is incarcerated

• Parolee Person who is on parole

• Illegal immigrant Person seeking lawful status

• Illegal alien Person without lawful status

• Detainee Person in immigration detention

• Inmate Person confined to prison

PFL terms related to socioeconomic status and income-level

• Poor Person with low-income

• Less fortunate Person experiencing material poverty 

• Underserved communities Communities that are under-resourced

• Unemployed Person seeking economic opportunity 

• Culture of poverty People experiencing material poverty 

• Homeless Person experiencing homelessness

• Needy Person seeking financial stability 

• Disadvantaged Person from a (historically) marginalized background

• At-risk Person placed at risk, Person seeking (racial) equity

Good to Know Info

• Unskilled labor, low skilled labor essential labor or define what the work really is (manually labor, service industry/labor)

• Third world country Low income countries, Lower middle income country, developing country (this term has implications)

• Homeless Unhoused

PFL terms related to disability

• Handicap Person with a disability 

• Retarded Person with an intellectual disability, Person with a cognitive disability, Person with a developmental disability

• Crippled/Lame/Deformed Person with a physical disability 

• Blind Person who is visually impaired, Person who is blind

• Deaf Person who is deaf 

• Hard of hearing Person who has hearing loss

• Epileptic Person with epilepsy, A person with seizure disorder

• Wheelchair bound/Confined to a wheelchair Person who uses a wheelchair

• Mute Person who is unable to speak, Person who uses synthetic speech

• Crazy/Nuts Person with a psychiatric disability, Person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Person with [insert specific psychiatric disability]

Good to Know Info…

Generally avoid terms like “afflicted”, “stricken”, and “victim” 

• Stricken by muscular dystrophy (MD) Person who has MD

• Afflicted by Multiple Sclerosis (MS)/Other diagnosis Person who has MS/other diagnosis

• Cerebral palsy victim Person with cerebral palsy

Generally avoid referring to people with disabilities as a person who is “successful” or “productive” for overcoming their disability. Or, implying that they are courageous for navigating life with a disability. In many cases, you can focus on their recovery. For example, you can state, “a person who is in recovery from a substance abuse disorder.”

But it’s also complex…

PFL is only one approach to amplifying someone’s humanity and honoring their dignity. There are other approaches such as Identity First Language (IFL)—more on this later! There is no right or wrong method. Some people choose PFL and some people choose Identity First Language (IFL). If you are not sure what to do, here are three (3) strategies:

1. You should not correct a person who chooses to use PFL or IFL. 

2. You can ask what they would prefer to be called.

3. You can mirror the language the person uses (with permission)

Homework 

Practice incorporating the terms above into your daily language.

Additional resources and further reading:

• Article: Person First and Identity First Language

• Article: Third World Is an Offensive Term

• Article: Why Unskilled Labor Perpetuates Stereotypes

• Article: Words Matter: Don’t Call People Felons, Convicts, or Inmates

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Until next time,

Your favorite Chief Diversity Officer,
Dr. B.