Retardés

Retardés is a historical term that has been used in French to refer to people with intellectual disabilities. The word derives from the verb retarder, meaning to slow down or delay, and it was once employed in medical and educational contexts to describe cognitive impairments. In clinical usage from the 19th and early 20th centuries, phrases such as retardé mental or retardé intellectuel were common.

In contemporary French, retardés is widely regarded as pejorative and inappropriate when referring to people. It is perceived as stigmatizing and demeaning, and its casual or insulting use can contribute to discrimination. Because of this shift, modern professional language favors person‑first or person‑centered formulations that emphasize the individual rather than a label of disability. Common alternatives include personnes présentant une déficience intellectuelle, personnes ayant un trouble du développement intellectuel, or more broadly, personnes en situation de handicap. In clinical and policy contexts, terms such as déficience intellectuelle or trouble du développement cognitif are preferred, depending on the precise meaning.

Regional and cultural differences can influence terminology, but the trend in Francophone communities is to minimize or avoid descriptors that reduce a person to a disability. Media, education, and advocacy groups increasingly advocate respectful language and awareness of stigma associated with historic terms like retardés.

See also: déficience intellectuelle, trouble du développement, handicap, langage respectueux envers les personnes en situation de handicap.