In my last post I mentioned that the earliest usage of ‘retarded’ to describe mental capacity was in 1895. Even after that, the other definitions of retarded were still used to describe things with impeded function, but around 1960 the word ‘retarded’ was almost exclusively reserved for the mentally deficient. 
      ‘Retarded’ wasn’t considered derogatory at the time, and found it’s way into many nonfictional works of literature. It was used to medically and objectively describe a mental condition. Its usage peaked in the 1970s, but still was used in a non-derogatory manner into the 2000s. After its peak usage, the instances of retarded being used in a derogatory fashion increased, probably triggering the response from the disabled community to put an end to its usage in the past couple years. At the same time, government and medical institutions began to stray away from the word ‘retarded’ in favor of more neutral terms, giving organizations that are in support of the disabled community even more of a reason to attempt to stop the usage of the word. 

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “retarded” has its roots in the latin word “retardātus” which means to be held back or impeded. Over time it could be observed as in English as the adjective “retarded” with a nearly identical meaning. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that the word became used to describe mental disability. In that entry it meant, “…Diagnosed with or characterized by learning difficulties or an intellectual disability…”

            This definition the word in United States was actually considered in a politically correct manner up until several years ago. If one thinks about it in a literal sense, the word retarded shouldn’t seem too offensive when observing the dictionary definition. It states that someone who is “retarded” is someone with impeded mental abilities. What I can’t understand is how the connotation for this word became so negative. 

            As the older brother to someone who would be considered by doctors, by the government, and by the public to be retarded, I’ve put much thought into the usage of this word. It’s a word you hear strewn about the halls and playgrounds at school with little to no discretion, usually directed towards anyone who makes a mistake. This usage has always made me uncomfortable, but I have come to realize that the majority of people use this word without intending to offend the people it actually applies to. I even find myself in a similar situation when I jokingly ask somebody if they are blind when they can’t find something.

            The word “retarded,” no matter which way you look at it, is going to be perceived in a negative way. It used to be, however, a clinical and objective word that accurately describes what it is meant to. Even so, when I looked at my brother, I couldn’t just think to myself that he’s “retarded,” and I hated describing him in that way to others, but it was one of those words that was hard to avoid when it was needed. Luckily, this is no longer the case, since 2010 when Rosa’s Law was passed in the United States Congress.