What is the difference between “mentally retarded” and “mentally challenged”?
(Vandala Krishna, Hyderabad) There is no difference. “Mentally challenged” is now considered the polite way of referring to someone who has a mental disability. “Retarded” is considered offensive. Here are some more politically correct terms that are often used these days. “Horizontally challenged” (fat person), “vertically challenged” (short person), “aesthetically challenged” (ugly person), “visually challenged” (needs glasses), and “physically challenged” (has a physical disability). There are many more politically correct terms. Here’s another one for the road: “petroleum transfer engineer” (the man at the petrol station who fills petrol in your car)! S.
