Discursive discrimination of the ‘mentally deficient’ in interwar Sweden

Abstract

This article shows, firstly, one way in which discrimination in discourse, that is, discrimination performed through the use of language, can be studied with the help of a set of concepts: exclusion from discourse; negative other‐presentation; objectification; and proposals pointing towards unfavourable treatment. The concept of othering is also used. Secondly, an empirical study of the discursive treatment of people labelled ‘mentally deficient’ in interwar Sweden is presented. The parliamentary debate on a new sterilisation law, encyclopaedic entries and medical descriptions are focused. The results reveal that the group in question was blatantly discriminated against, by means of all of the forms of discursive discrimination mentioned, and was also othered. It is suggested that the set of concepts could be useful for comparative studies of discursive treatment of people categorised as ‘mentally deficient’ in other countries during the same period and for studies of possible contemporary discrimination.

Notes

1. There are also other forms of exclusion from discourse comprised by the typology that are not relevant for this particular study.

2. These are the documents specified above in the text, a couple of reports by the Second Standing Committee on Legislation on the bills (Andra lagutskottets utlåtande 1922:24 and 1933:12), two addresses by the parliament (Riksdagens skrivelse 1922:250 and 1934:228), another private bill regarding the final legislative proposal (First Chamber Bill 1934:306), the minutes of the debate in 1922 in the First Chamber of the parliament (First Chamber minutes 42) and in the Second Chamber (Second Chamber minutes 48), and of the First Chamber when the issue was discussed and finally resolved in 1934 (First Chamber minutes 30).