What is in a WORD?

The language we speak is made up of words. Each word has a specific meaning and the appropriate usage of a combination of words helps us to convey a message, either orally or in writing, to others. Our thoughts become words, and our words become action.  So our words have the power to inspire someone or hurt someone. That is why it is said, “Words have so much power, that they can either make or break, a relationship.”

We cannot neglect the importance of right usage of our words, because it is not only an integral part of our communication process, but it also carries an emotional dimension.

Take for example; we generally call a person who cannot see, as a blind person a person who cannot hear as deaf, a person who cannot walk properly as lame, so on and so forth. The dictionary meaning of the word would be undoubtedly right, but on an emotional level, it sounds a little harsh.  There is a better way of saying it. You can call the person as a “physically challenged” person. The same goes for words such as “insane” or “mad”. The better word that could be used is “mentally challenged”.  I am aware that by changing the word the status of the person does not change, but it gives an implication that he is one among us , who has a specific challenge to face in his life. This puts him on an equal status or may be in a priority status.

Recently there are more welcome developments on this aspect. The terminology “differently abled” has now come to replace the terminology, “physically challenged” and is widely used in Govt.offices and newspapers. When you call some one as “differently abled”, it means that, though they have a challenge or a difficulty in one aspect, they have a special ability in some other aspect, which helps them to cope up with their inadequacy, to some level.

It is said, “When God closes one door he opens the other”. I have found it is true. If you would have noticed the physically challenged people closely, you would come to know that they are well talented in something or truly superior in certain skills. I have noticed that they were very creative with poetry and with singing.  There is an organisation in Mumbai called the “mouth and foot painting artists” www.imfpa.co.in. Though they are physically challenged, they are differently abed in the sense that they can paint wonderful painting, using their mouth and foot, which a normal person cannot do. Their paintings are printed and sold as post cards and calendars. The money generated by the sale of these items, goes to support their life and help them live a dignified life. 

Similarly, we find the usage of words like “Orphanages” and “Old age homes”. The better choices could be “Children Rehabilitation Centre” and “Retirement homes” respectively.

It is also noteworthy, that in the recent usage of English, a child with inborn intelligence is called a “Gifted Child” and the child who has a learning difficulty is called a “Special Child”. This means a special child is one who needs special care; someone who needs extra effort on the part of the parent and teachers, to make him understand concepts that are easy for a gifted child to understand. We cannot condemn a child as a dunce or academically poor, without taking an initiative or extra effort from our side.

These words enable a change in our mindset and ultimately the way we treat them. It helps us to shift the focus from condemning someone to taking social responsibility. Just the change of words has the magic and power to change our perception of a particular situation. So, let us be sensitive to the feelings of others and be sensible in the choice of right words.

Let us choose empowering words, for it is the mark of a progressive civilisation.

D. Senthil Kannan,

Managing Trustee, PALMS, Tuticorin.

Author of "Transformational Thoughts" - A Journey of learning 

Email: senthilkannand@gmail.com