Submitted 3 days ago by SourDragon@lemmy.world to [deleted]
I’m writing a story with a character with dwarfism, but fantasy-style dwarves already exist in this world, so I’d like another word for her.
In dutch we called mini-golf midget-golf. The first time I used that term abroad people looked at me as if I was insane. Slurs are very country- and context dependent, but for a wider audience it is always best to avoid them.
My wife doesn’t like any of the terms and would rather not be called by her size.
I do it anyway.
I’ve never heard of the word you’re referring to being a slur, and only won’t post it out of respect for the possibility that someone might take it that way. “Treat others how they would like to be treated” and all that.
Then it was “little person,” but that was always kinda demeaning.
Dwarfism is the medical term, but then again “the R word” is a scientific term to mean “to slow the flow of” and we’re definitely not allowed to say that. Remember when the Black Eyed Peas nearly got canceled for the song that is now known as Let’s Get it Started? Never mind that the original song was not very good, in addition to being in poor taste. Anyway, as it turns out, “the scientific term” isn’t always the most friendly term to use for marginalised groups.
The most modern way of addressing any disability or difference is to start with the person, so, that is to say, “person with dwarfism.” But, by the same token, “person who is little” just seems demeaning. So, we loop back to my first statement. From which, inevitably, is followed by my second — but, that’s my wife. Someone else? I’d just call them by their name.
The R word as a verb has a different emphasis than does the (adjectival) noun that is taboo. The emphasis difference is common among identically spelled pairs of verb/nouns. The noun almost always has emphasis on first syllable, e.g. [a] record (noun) versus [to] record (verb).
But yeah, some people are going to avoid it anyway, not least because it's indistinguishable in text form, and I wouldn't blame them.
I note that the M word (to belatedly drag myself back on topic) doesn't work as a verb.
Depends heavily where you are and what community your part of. Some consider midget to be equal to nigger. While others consider dwarf to be the bad. Over all midget is generally more prevalent as the term considered to be frowned on. But it is far far from universal.
As far as a fantasy world is concerned, if your setting has dwarfs then you likely should consider half breeds and how the culture would segment between humans and dwarfs. How they mesh together. And how abnormally short humans or tall dwarfs would be seen as out liers and how the lack of culture heritage could cause them strife or acceptance from the culture they most resemble.
Judging a book by its cover is a common problem for any group of people, and is the first step to over come in many fantasy stories. But proving the stereotype wrong you can flesh out characters, and show moral and social spectrums of gray. After all no peoples are black and white.
A abnormally short human could be seen as insultive to the dwarfs if he tries to integrate because he’s seen as a fake. Since he won’t have any true dwarven blood.
How he integrates into that society how it pushes back and how it eventually accepts or rejects him are all powerful themes and can mirror real life struggles to join a new community where you have no true roots.
Little person.
Depends where you are. In America, yes. The term is associated with freak shows and traveling circuses. Nowadays, both ‘little person’ and ‘dwarf’ are acceptable terms, although they might not necessarily fit within your story if you want to avoid modern-sounding language/terms that already apply to another species in your story.
Yes. That’s literally the most offensive term you can use.
If it’s a fantasy world make up a fantasy term. You can either create a word from scratch or just create a more complex term.
For example, insert god name here-favored. Just because modern society considers it a disability with historical persecution doesn’t mean it has to be the case for your setting, or that or has to follow the same patterns.
Of course, you could also make the term everyone uses for her a slur in their world as well. Depends on what you’re going for.
I’d just avoid real world slurs, personally, at least in a fantasy.
hey there little guy
I can’t figure out what could be the word it is all about 🤨
New a creative author and “create” your own from your universe. Duh
The working word is “poytle” suggested by another, from my attempted portmanteau little+person=pertle. I like it and may use it.
I meant to try cooking up something tied to their home. Are they from Poytlevania?
From what I’ve seen, there’s definately a vocal group of little people, that consider it a slur. What percentage of actual people with the condition that think it I have no idea
Little people would be my suggestion. Its simple, accurate.
I would think any setting where dwarves or halflings exist someone with dwarfism would probably be called a halfbreed or cursed or something else not exactly nice.
Silly little guy.
nocturne@slrpnk.net 3 days ago
Yes it is considered a slur by many people.
Reading your description, does this character need a label? Could you create your own word, like Nelwyn in Willow? Which I realize that is used to describe an entire group. Maybe that word is what is used in your world to describe what we would in real life call a little person.
SourDragon@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Not really, no
I like that idea. Maybe a portmanteau of “little person”. Litson? Pertle? I’ll figure something out…
actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 3 days ago
Poytle
It’s like “Pertle” with a Brooklyn accent.
BassTurd@lemmy.world 3 days ago
My first thought was of Tyrion from ASOIAF. I don’t know that he needed a label, but his short stature was relevant to his characters experiences and storyline. I do like the new word OP may have settled on further down the chain, poytle.
SourDragon@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Yeah, “poytle” has grown on me and I’ve already written it in