之前有学员John问到有什么字可以代替 handicapped,最常见的可能是 disabled 。这个字是否比handicapped好,真是见仁见智。但这两个字有一个共通点,就是它们本身是动词的过去分词,然后用作形容词,而过去分词的被动含意依然存在,把身体障碍从主体角度变成客体角度,以减轻可能带来的伤害,跟 physically challenged 等较萝唆的字眼原意是一样。
也有人觉得 handicapped 或 disabled 还是太直接,于是换一个说法,变成 people with disabilities 或 people with handicaps。如果比较下面两句:
He is disabled.
He is a person with disabilities.
第二句固然较为婉转,但如此一来,handicapped parking 就要写成 parking for people with handicaps;而 Chan L W 寄来的句字也要改写:
The facilities in the fitness club are accessible to people with handicaps.
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