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.