The Power of Language: Why Words Matter More Than You Think

Darren Cowlbeck
Jun 10
3 min read

From The Talk2 Group – Empowering Global Voices with Cultural Intelligence

At The Talk2 Group, we believe communication is more than conversation — it’s connection. And one of the most underestimated tools in shaping those connections is language itself.

How we speak reflects how we think. And in today’s global, diverse world, the language we choose can either build inclusion or reinforce division. That’s why we want to shine a light on a subtle but powerful shift gaining ground across healthcare, education, and professional environments: people-first language.

What Is People-First Language – and Why Does It Matter?

People-first language puts the person before their condition, challenge, or identity marker. For example:

“A person with epilepsy” instead of “an epileptic.”
“Children living with autism” rather than “autistic children.”
“Patients living with obesity” instead of “obese patients.”

This isn’t just linguistic decoration. It’s a psychologically informed practice with evidence-backed impact.

What the Research Tells Us

Language Shapes Perception According to research by Sapir and Whorf (Whorf, 1956), language doesn’t just describe reality — it influences how we perceive it. When people are described using deficit-based labels (e.g., “addict,” “schizophrenic,” “the disabled”), it creates a mental shortcut that dehumanizes and reduces individuals to their diagnosis.
Stigma and Social Judgment A 2010 study by Kelly et al. in Psychiatric Services found that describing someone as “a person with schizophrenia” versus “a schizophrenic” significantly reduced participants’ negative emotional reactions and desire for social distance.
Self-Identity and Empowerment Language can also shape how individuals see themselves. A 2018 review published in Health Psychology Open demonstrated that people with chronic illnesses who internalized negative labels were more likely to experience lower self-esteem and treatment adherence. People-first terminology, by contrast, supported psychological distance from the disease and fostered empowerment.
Bias in Clinical Settings A striking study by Phelan et al. (2015) found that when healthcare providers used disease-first language (e.g., “diabetic,” “obese”), they were more likely to assign blame and offer less patient-centered care.

From Language to Culture: A Global Communication Shift

People-first language aligns with a wider cultural movement in communication — one that values empathy, dignity, and inclusion.

At The Talk2 Group, we see this especially in intercultural business communication. In Japanese, for example, expressions like 「障がいのある方」(shōgai no aru kata – "person with a disability") reflect similar values — showing respect by emphasizing the person first. When coaching international teams, we’ve found that people-first language bridges not just linguistic gaps, but cultural ones as well.

How to Apply People-First Language in Practice

Whether you’re a healthcare provider, educator, corporate leader, or global communicator, here are simple shifts that make a difference:

Instead of…	Try saying…
“The disabled”	“People living with disabilities”
“A schizophrenic”	“A person diagnosed with schizophrenia”
“Obese patients”	“Patients living with obesity”
“Autistic child”	“Child with autism”
“The homeless”	“Individuals experiencing homelessness”

It’s not about perfection — it’s about progress. These small shifts reshape not only our language but our worldview.

The Talk2 Group Perspective

At The Talk2 Group, we train leaders and teams to communicate with clarity, cultural sensitivity, and emotional intelligence. People-first language is a small but powerful example of soft power communication — the kind that invites rather than imposes, includes rather than excludes, and ultimately creates trust.

In the end, communication isn’t about the words we use — it’s about the world we build through them.

Let’s build a better one, one word at a time.

References:

Kelly, M., et al. (2010). The Impact of Labeling on Stigma toward People with Mental Illnesses. Psychiatric Services, 61(4), 325–328.
Phelan, S. M., et al. (2015). Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity. Obesity Reviews, 16(4), 319–326.
Whorf, B. L. (1956). Language, Thought, and Reality: Selected Writings of Benjamin Lee Whorf. MIT Press.
Health Psychology Open (2018). Review: Illness identity and its psychological consequences in chronic illness.