Julie Harper (asker) Oct 30, 2011:

After much thought, I think "The guide to disability etiquette in the workplace" appears to be the most succinct and appropriate way of rendering this into English. Thanks to all for your input :)

Steve Melling Oct 29, 2011:

Julie,

To be honest, I'm not very PC! That said it's clear that those poor people with a disability deserve full respect and help.

Coming back to the actual answer I think Ms Finch's suggestion is good.

Julie Harper (asker) Oct 29, 2011:

Thanks Steve, no apology needed, it's a sensitive topic and I suppose we all just want to make our feelings clear about it.

Steve Melling Oct 29, 2011:

Dear Julie,

Thank you for your comments. I would like to reiterate that I was referring to the title (which I found derogatory) and never intended to "have a go" at you! I apologise for the misunderstanding. We are all in the same boat and need to help each other out when source text is unclear. Good luck with your translation!

Best regards,

Steve

Julie Harper (asker) Oct 29, 2011:

Well thank you for your help Steve it is much appreciated, I was merely pointing out the fact that although the term "gens ordinaires" in French could be directly translated as "ordinary/normal people" it would be inappropriate to use such a phrase in English in this context. You asked me if I understood les gens ordinaires to mean people who are not disabled....I was simply saying yes this is what the meaning is in French but that I agree that this kind of differentiation is somewhat derogatory. I don't want to get into any arguments with my fellow translators! It is true that we should be sensitive to such wording in this day and age but we should also avoid being overly PC about such issues for eg. I cannot see why the term "disabled" cannot be used (@Polyglot), think this is being slightly overly sensitive...

Steve Melling Oct 29, 2011:

Julie,

I don't know how you've interpreted my words as a personal attack! I was referring to the French title. I wasn't inferring anything! I was actually trying to help.

polyglot45 Oct 29, 2011:

these days, this sort of thing is a minefield but there is a difference between "ordinary people" and "normal people". They are not synonymous

Julie Harper (asker) Oct 29, 2011:

I can assure you Steve I will not be writing ordinary or normal to differentiate non-disabled people from disabled people!

Julie Harper (asker) Oct 29, 2011:

Steve hi, in answer to your question, no I personally do not hold the view that people without disability are "normal" and that people with disabilities are "abnormal" if that is what you are inferring here...I didn't write the source text, I'm merely attempting to translate it!!!

Steve Melling Oct 29, 2011:

Hello Catharine,

Well, that would indicate to me that "des gens ordinaires" are those of us who are not disabled. I find the term somewhat derogatory with regard to the disabled. Given that the UK and States are VERY PC, I would suggest to Julie not to write "ordinary people".

Catharine Cellier-Smart Oct 29, 2011:

@Steve Interestingly I found another reference, possibly older which is called "Guide des civilités envers les personnes handicapées à l'usage des gens ordinaires" (see http://www.myobase.net/Record.htm?idlist=2&record=1913274412... )

Steve Melling Oct 29, 2011:

Hello,

Do you understand "les gens ordinaires" to be people who are NOT disabled? I ask because it is now heavily stressed that disabled people are "normal people" except that they have a disability ("look at the person not the disability").