“P” FOR WHAT? DISCURSIVE TRADITIONS OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (PWD)

Abstract

This study investigates how the linguistic terms used to refer to people with disabilities in the Brazilian Portuguese contribute to their constitution as citizens with rights. The analysis is based on research conducted on the Federal Senate Library website focusing on terms “portador” and “deficiência”, across three diachronic periods: 1995, 2005 and 2015, to gather occurrences in materials promulgated by the government body. The study follows the theoretical-methodological guidelines of Discursive Traditions and Foucauldian Discursive Studies, particularly those addressing the processes of objectification. This approach enables the study of how terms referring to people with disabilities (PwD) are historically constructed. It is observed that the evolution of these terms in official documents reflects a shift toward recognizing PwD as active subjects. This linguistic change supports broader discussions on modern ableist language, promoting the importance of emphasizing the person, rather than the bearer, of disability.

Keywords:
Discursive Traditions; People with disability; Brazilian Portuguese