Floating Signifiers: Managing Disability Language in Sweden

Abstract

This paper analyzes the management of intellectual disability language. I will focus specifically on the term flerfunktionsnedsättning which is the recommended Swedish equivalent for Profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). This term reflects how, in Sweden, discourses and practices with an aim to conform language to linguistic, ethical, and political ideals are enacted. The result of such process in relation to disability has been the creation of different co-existing vocabularies that often create confusion. This is especially the case with flerfunktionsnedsättning which is hardly used or even recognized in the field among professionals. I will argue that this terminological confusion reflects the normative confusion in disability studies and disability policy.

Keywords

• flerfunktionsnedsättning
• profound intellectual and multiple disabilities
• terminology
• verbal hygiene