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Gary Falanga
Glavan
Interpretation and Argument (76-101)
9/19/13
Argument Analysis: Linton
The concept of disability is seldom analyzed in depth, as many see its nature as purely
factual and indisputable. However, in Chapter 2 of her book Claiming Disability: Knowledge
and Identity, Simi Linton, with her thorough background in psychology and disability studies,
discusses how the concept of disability transcends the medical scope and is largely affected by
societal and cultural attitudes. She explains how language, analyzed through semantics and
etymology, reinforces the dominant cultures views of disability, as well the effect of the
predominantly medical significance of the term disabled. Moreover, she brings to light how
the concept of normalcy arose through industrialization and cultural production, creating the
ideal of normal as well as its counterpart: abnormal. These two categories depend on each other
for existence, consequently influencing perspectives on self-worth and acceptability, social
position, and societal response to behavior, among other things. Linton explains how the social
nature, semantics, and origins of disability allow for a greater understanding of what it truly
means to be disabled, and how our current definition of the term, and the social stigma that
arises from it, is more detrimental to those with disabilities than the term itself.
Despite its monumental importance in our everyday lives, semantics is an aspect often
overlooked when discussing prominent issues. The literal definition of a term can have severe
repercussions as well as a heavy influence on the perspective of the concept as a whole; thus, as

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Linton argues, is the case of disability. In our modern day society, the term disability is of
predominantly medical significance. However, there lies a fundamental problem: Society, in
agreeing to assign medical meaning to disability, colludes to keep the issue within the purview of
the medical establishment, to keep it a personal matter and treat the condition and the person
with the condition rather than treating the social processes and policies that constrict disabled
peoples lives.(Linton 11) A large part of the social stigma caused by the medicalization of
disability, is a result of a few common practice: we cast human variation as a deviance from the
norm; we view disability as a purely pathological condition, one that only limits capability; we
immediately perceive any disability as an individual encumbrance and a personal tragedy. This
all results primarily from the medical definition of disabilitythe strong medical denotation of
the term have created many cultural connotations, common assumptions that are assumed of
nearly all people with disability.
In addition to her analysis of the semantics of the term disability, Linton embarks on a
linguistic endeavor into the culture of the disabled, examining the common language used and
how it indicates social attitudes. For example, she examines the terms that evoke helplessness in
disabled peoplelike victim, suffering from, afflicted by, etc. The nature of these terms,
along with their literal definitions, are indicative of the social norm to pity people with
disabilities because they are suffering from, they are a victim of, and afflicted by their
disease or disability, and it is only that which biologically or physically renders them incapable
of certain normal human functions that causes their burden. Seldom does anyone consider that
the real affliction of one disabled may result from the social oppression of such terms and
attitudes. This relates directly to the concept of overcoming adversity that is so often
attributed to people with disabilities; the barrier that is overcome is never seen as social, only

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physical; the truly limiting factor is always believed to be their physical difference, not society.
This principle also fosters the idea that it is the individuals responsibility to overcome their
disability
If there are no curb cuts at the corner of the street so that people who use
wheelchairs can get across, then you should learn to do wheelies and jump the
curbs. If there are no sign language interpreters for deaf students at the high
school, then you should study harder, read lips, and stay up late copying notes
from a classmate. (18)
Moreover, Linton analyzes the term disability from a morphemic perspectives, tearing the
word apart and examining the pieces. Prefixes and suffixes have the ability to influence and
even drastically change the meaning of their root word, such is the case with dis- and ette. The
suffix ette not only denotes the female counterpart to any particular male position, but embodies
the unequal yet dynamic relationship between men and women. This is similar to the case of
ability and disability, which the separation and consequent social stigma of disability is born
from. The prefix dis- connotes separation and the Latin root dis means apart, or asunder. Linton
argues that it is this fundamental linguistic aspect of disability that has a profound and lasting
impact on the disability community, as she explains, Dis is the semantic reincarnation of the
split between disabled and nondisabled people in society.(31)
To further deduce her main conclusion, Linton attempts to trace the term normal back
to its roots, as an understanding of the origin can help foster greater understanding of the concept
as it exists today. She quotes Davis, saying, the normal is part of a notion of progress, of
industrialization, and of ideological consolidation of the power of the bourgeoisie. The
implications of the hegemony of normalcy are profound and extend into the very heart of cultural

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production.(22) She goes on to say how society developed to be largely based on the concept of
the average human being, a prototype of normal, with abnormal referring those outside the
norm, or those near the ends of the bell curve. These two categories, normal and abnormal,
depend on each other to exist, as one thing cannot exist without its opposite. Yet the social
repercussions are exponential; the categorization into these two base groups heavily affects selfworth and acceptability, social position, and societal response to behavior.
Overall, Linton offers the reader an in-depth look at many aspects of disability that are
frequently looked over, particularly the fact that disability is not simply a physical problem, but a
prominent social issue. She thoroughly explains how the social nature and semantics of
disability, as well as the origins of the concepts normal and abnormal, are pivotal in truly
understanding disability and people with disabilities. She brings light to these aspects in the
hopes that action will be taken to combat the oppression of people with disabilities through
sociopolitical action and revamping the term disabled to better represent the true nature of their
human variance.

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Works Cited
Linton, Simi. Claiming Disability: Knowledge and Identity. New York: New York University
Press, 1998. Print.