Proper term for people affected by dwarfism?

Question

I'm writing a paper about people with achondroplasia - those people used to be called Dwarves.....for some reason, it just seems "not right' to use the term achondroplasics......

Now there is a question I never thought I would ask....

Thanks all....Be well

Answer 1

Midgets.

Answer 2

Achondroplasia is actually a genetic disorder that causes an abnormality of cartilage formation which is a common cause and is considered as one of the types of DWARFISM. The term is derived from words CHONDRO - meaning "of cartilage" and PLASIA - meaning "form".The growth in the long bones of the legs and arms are affected.


Those who have achondroplasia are called ACHONDROPLASTIC DWARFS.(Plural of dwarf can either be dwarfs or dwarves however, dwarfs is generally used for real people affected by dwarfism while dwarves is mostly used when referring to the mythical people.) You can also use the term simply as ACHONDROPLASTIC/S.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Proper term for people affected by dwarfism?
I'm writing a paper about people with achondroplasia - those people used to be called Dwarves.....for some reason, it just seems "not right' to use the term achondroplasics......

Now there is a question I never thought I would ask....

Thanks all....Be well

Answer 4

The medical term is achondroplastic dwarf, as used in these articles in medical journals:

Lutter LD, Langer LO: Neurologic symptoms in achondroplastic dwarfs – surgical treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Am 59:87-92, 1977.

and

Winter RB, Herring JA: Kyphosis in an achondroplastic dwarf. J Pediatr Orthop 2:51-55, 1982.

(Both articles found in this search: http://www.google.com/search?q=achondroplastic+dwarf&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS231US231


Achondroplastic dwarf is not a derogatory term. It's purely descriptive, like a diabetic or an amputee, and it is the way doctors refer to those afflicted with achondroplasia.

Nor is dwarf an offensive term. Think of Snow White's friends, who were called "dwarfs", although dwarves is the official pleural of dwarf - not dwarfs, just as wolves is the pleural of wolf - not wolfs (and knives is the pleural of knife - not knifes, selves, shelves, calves, scarves, etc.).

Also, from PBS is this: http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2005/bigenough/special_dwarfism.html

"ACHONDROPLASTIC DWARFISM is characterized by an average-sized trunk, short arms and legs, and a slightly enlarged head and prominent forehead."

There is also the more general term nanus (pleural nani) - a person who is markedly small - what is meant by the term, "little people". But this also includes victims of many other conditions besides achondroplasia, such as diastrophic dysplasia, growth-hormone deficiency (also called a hypophysial dwarf, a Levi-Lorrain dwarf, or a pituitary dwarf), osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), pseudoachondroplasia, and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SED) - not just achondroplastic dwarves. The prefix nano-, as in nanometer, derives from this latin word, nanus.

Answer 5

I thought they still were. There is apparently a medical difference between dwarves and midgets. Midgets are perfectly in proportion, but small, dwarves have normal size bodies but short arms and legs. Otherwise, little people, persons of restricted growth. What's wrong with using "achondroplasics". Hope this helps.

Answer 6

I suppose "little people" or "vertically disadvantaged" or some such trash if you have a need to be PC, but correctly they are either Dwarfs or Midgets. The two are very different.

Answer 7

Vertically Challenged Homosapien ... or simply VCH

Answer 8

Midget is offensive.

I think little person is preferred (or you might use diminutive person).

Answer 9

Elf, shortie.. er.. hobbits, er frodo??

Answer 10

dwarves