Barktooth
-
Posts
284 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Blogs
Events
Blog Comments posted by Barktooth
-
-
2 minutes ago, Mr Poltroon said:
Yes, I do live in Portugal.
Your English proficiency is quite commendable, then. How long have you been studying it for?
Concerning the words in the OP, did you acquire all of them from VNs you've read? Alternatively, were there other sources?
7 minutes ago, Mr Poltroon said:Other languages help immensely with English, if only because it is a terrible amalgamation of words they stole from everyone else that seemed superior or chic.
Yup, I can tell as much seeing as Russian has many words similar to English, which both languages likely borrowed from Latin.
English does, indeed, also seem to often rely on short phrases to describe certain concepts rather than singular words, which while exist, are generally rarely used.
-
I'm curious, do you actually live in Portugal? Your vocabulary is rather impressive, seeing as I only (vaguely) knew four of the words on your list. Not residing in an English-speaking country would make your knowledge even more remarkable.
In any case, I wish you luck in this endeavor. I've been wanting to expand my vocabulary as well, but learning Japanese takes precedence at the moment... Although, I have to say I already learned several English terms through that alone. It would appear the Japanese have several words in (I would assume) frequent use that don't have a commonly encountered English counterpart, and are therefore most accurately translated using an obscure word.
-
1 hour ago, Guest *anoyoruniyakusokushita said:
Well, good job to you, then... I couldn't quite decide whether you were trolling or not, but in the end settled that you were probably serious - surely no troll would put so much effort into their posts. Your dedication is inspiring.
-
5 hours ago, *anoyoruniyakusokushita said:
You have a point; there are probably some people like that. However, when I say disadvantageous social position, I don't only mean that they can't do things most people can. Even though those people might sometimes not feel different at all, society is still harsh with them, especially because of some verbal offenses. I'm not referring specifically to the words I listed here, as most disabled people often have to hear lots of crap from able-bodied individuals. If they don't care about that, it's probably because they have gotten used to it, which is not a good thing. It's just like some black people have gotten used to racist microaggressions.
I'm not sure if those verbal offenses are really the problem. If (as you mentioned in a later paragraph) these expressions are really so ingrained in society that most people don't realize they are offensive anymore, then the disabled people aren't going to be affected negatively from them being used. Of course, if someone does have the intent to be offensive, then whether they utilize these words or not, they will find a way to upset people.
QuoteIt may not change their physical or mental condition, but it will certainly make them feel a lot better about themselves.
I don't think they feel bad about themselves because of these words being used in the first place. That is, unless they convince themselves that every time someone uses the word, whether that person has the intent to cause offense or not, they should get offended. In this case, the fault lies on the disabled person.
QuoteWell, that's a problem with your personality in particular. But you have three choices:
1. Keep using those words and unintentionally offending some people, who will probably suffer quietly
2. Police yourself as to stop using those words and gloat about doing that, which might offend some people either because of the gloating or because they want to be treated like everyone else, like you said
3. Stop using those words and make the effort of keeping your mouth shut about it, which won't offend anyone
Guess what's the most selfless one?
I'm not sure I understand where #2 is coming from. I don't believe I would gloat over having to refrain from using certain words. However, at least until it becomes a habit, I would likely act and word things awkwardly if I had to consciously prevent myself from uttering certain words. Most people who are not mentally impaired would be able to notice these mannerisms and realize that I'm treating them differently, since it's only ableist expressions that I tiptoe around.
As for #3, that is what I wanted to do when I wrote the lines you quoted. However, as stated, I'll likely give away that I'm trying to refrain from using certain words by acting awkwardly, which, sadly, isn't something I'd be able to control as my social skills are poor.
As I don't believe using most of these words without the intent to offend will make disabled people suffer, #1 appears to be the best option.
QuoteBut people do not know whether you associate those concepts or not. The negative connotation related to mentally disabled people is already rooted on that word. It became a more and more common word, everyone started using it daily with various different connotations, but isn't that kinda sad? The fact that a word used to describe some people's condition became so common that everyone today is using it frivolously and meaninglessly, without even noticing that it carries an offensive connotation? Because, before, when it was a new word, everyone would be always aware that it referred to a disabled person, and they would at least know they were using it in an ableist way when insulting someone with it. But right now, nobody even notices that, so even people that mean no harm say it.
It's true that others don't know whether I associate those concepts or not, and they might take offense to something I meant no offense with. If such a misunderstanding happens, however, I hope a simple apology and explanation will clear things up.
As for these words becoming common and becoming disassociated from disabled people, isn't this a great thing? If the great majority of people don't realize a word is offensive, as far as society is concerned, it's not.
Words aren't static, their meanings and usage evolve over time and might become totally opposite to their originals. Just because people are using them differently from their original meaning doesn't make the act frivolous, they are just trying to convey a different meaning now. I don't know the word's origins, but let's say before 'crazy' could only be used to refer to someone who is mentally disabled; now that's not the only - or possibly even the primary - meaning of the word. Yes, it might be slightly harder to tell now whether someone is using the word in an offensive manner or not, but context will help to figure that out - and if not, a misunderstanding can always be cleared up, as mentioned above. In short, whether a word carries an offensive connotation or not depends on the context it's used in.
Also, if someone knew and considered the word they were using to be ableist, yet they proceeded to say it, they must have been trying to offend a disabled person. Whether everyone agrees with Sana-san to use or not to use those words, this goes out the window when an individual is purposefully trying to offend another. There's always alternative ways to show your contempt for another being, so by policing usage of these words I think you're attacking the wrong target. We should be trying to figure out why someone wants to offend a disabled person and how to discourage them from doing so, not attempting to convince them to not do it in one specific way of many.
P.S. sorry if this post is a bit incoherent. I was sleepy when I wrote it.
-
28 minutes ago, *anoyoruniyakusokushita said:
Except she is a fictional character. Even if she does exist in someone's body (I've never seen anyone who claimed being her, tho), this body is probably abled, and that's why she thinks like that.
I was simply using her as an example. I'm convinced there are people in the real world who think the same way. If you don't believe this to be the case, then that is where we disagree. You can try to convince me otherwise, maybe I'm wrong - but I'm not sure if it's possible to prove one way or the other.
QuoteAlso, it's not like their emotional suffering always comes from the fact that they feel in disadvantage. It's because they feel different to other people; and when it's hard to fit in society, we usually get sad.
I don't think any difference at all from others is something that can sadden an individual. There's no concrete definition for what "normal" is, so many of the ways in which one is different from others don't make it harder to fit in.
When talking about disabilities, it is likely that most of them make it harder to fit in. But I believe some people are so well adjusted to their differences, that this doesn't sadden them. They are able to do almost everything anyone else can, they just get there in a different way.
Well, this might not be the case for severely disabled people, who really aren't able to do most everyday things. But I don't think using or not using the word 'stupid' is going to change much for them. It's a fact they are different from most of the population, and until we can replace flesh bodies with cyborgs that isn't going away.
QuoteSome people (a group probably much smaller than those who would be offended if those words continued being spoken) would only feel offended if they knew someone was purposefully avoiding that. I don't believe anyone would notice that, tbh.
I could see this being true on the internet, I suppose. In real life, I'm too autistic to not give away that I'm trying to refrain from using those words.
QuoteI'm not saying you're ableist for using those words. But even if your intentions are good, you would still be using a part of someone's identity and life in a negative connotation, which would only further emphasize their disadvantageous position in society. It's hard to give an example to someone who isn't in such a position, but look at the "name" example I gave to mitchhamilton above.
I don't think I'd be using someone's identity in a negative connotation, though. If I call a person crazy, I'm not using mentally disabled people's lives in a negative connotation because I don't associate the two concepts together.
-
58 minutes ago, Palas said:
I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED YOU DIDN'T USE THE ASTERISKS
It would be l*me if Sana used them. You must be b*ind if you didn't see that coming.
21 minutes ago, *anoyoruniyakusokushita said:Humans usually want to be equal to their surroundings. When everyday they see that they can't do a lot of tasks most people can, I don't think they won't feel "limited", at least to some extent.
That's why my advice is to avoid those words not only around disabled people, but around everyone else as well.
Sure, some of them will feel limited, but some won't. It depends on the person. Rin in Katawa Shoujo is a good example, she doesn't think not having arms is a disadvantage to her at all.
Even if one avoids these words around everyone else, they would still be acting this way for the sake of the disabled, so I think it may offend certain people regardless. Or maybe not, at this point I don't know anymore.
In either case, while I can't speak for anyone else, to me the usage of the words you listed plays a big role in whether they are perceived as "ableist" or not. If I call someone crazy, I'm simply trying to convey that they are acting in an irrational and nonsensical fashion, not that they are mentally disabled, or that their behavior stems from having a mental illness. The expression might have originated from someone likening a person acting nonsensically to the behavior of mentally disabled individuals, but the way it is used now, I don't believe such a link exists anymore.
In short, if you are mentally disabled but aren't going berserk on anyone, I won't call you crazy. However, if you're mentally healthy yet having a fit, I might just do so.
-
1 hour ago, *anoyoruniyakusokushita said:
No, it's not. It's a fact. And we need to recognize it in order to help those people.
IMHO suffering is relative and you can't say who has it worse without being in that person's shoes first. Some disabled people have lived their whole lives like that and don't know any different, so they don't feel like they are limited at all. Being careful and tip-toeing around those people might only offend them, as they might prefer to be treated like everyone else instead.
-
I can relate, in fact I'm currently taking a long break from my favorite multiplayer game because I realized I wasn't having fun anymore, and was mostly playing it out of an obligation to stay competitive. I might still go back to playing it after a while, but I really need to rethink my mindset. I constantly keep getting upset about people killing me and blame the game for being unbalanced, and even if I win, I think of it as something for granted.
I could probably still have fun playing it as long as I don't overestimate my own skill and think that other players are just random noobs. It's all about expectations, after all.
Mr. Poltroon's Lack of Vocabulary #1
in Mr Poltroon's Random Codswallop
A blog by Mr Poltroon in General
Posted
That's nothing to be ashamed of. YouTube was certainly of assistance to me in the early stages of learning English, and strangely enough, I believe playing the GTA games was as well.
Your previously used avatars always reminded me to play Ace Attorney... Gotta get to that at some point.
I suppose it's not entirely unexpected to see that most of those words don't come from VNs. Complex writing isn't something you come across especially often in this medium, it would seem.