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Hi folks, I have a problem with translating the concept of "incapaci" in this context: "Non lasciare le parti dell'imballo alla portata di bambini o incapaci" The translator has written "the infirm" but I am slightly wary. Do you think "infirmity" encompasses the scope of the Italian? Any alternative PC ideas for this one? TIA Derek
Explanation: it's a tricky one for PC reasons, as you imply! you can't use it in the sense of 'legally incompetent' or (even though this is probably what it means) mentally handicapped, and there is no reason why a person who is infirm or physically disabled shouldn't be capable of taking his own medicine.
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reading your question again, of course it refers to the pack or packaging, which usually has a warning notice about not letting children handle it, so it should even less have a warning for the disabled who, in general acceptance, are considered to be the physically handicapped.
A deceptively difficult nut to crack. Although "disabled" was a popular solution (thanks Rod), I agree with AM123 about its potential for offending disabled folks. The disability referred to is, presumably, more of a "mental impairment" as Gmel proposed (thanks Giuseppe), though this sounds a bit strong for the context. In short, there were several valid suggestions here, and perhaps the validest is Lanna's excellent circumvention (thanks), though after hunting about on the net and racking my braincell I tend to agree with Grace (thanks) that the GB equivalent stops at children - perhaps there is some point of law wherein a mentally retarded person can be equated with a child in relation to potential for inflicting self-harm. This all said and done, I later discovered that the "infirm" solution (which was beginning to sound quite clever once I started looking at all the angles here) has already been accepted by the customer, so since it ain't specifically broke, I guess I won't have to specifically fixit.
Thanks to all and Maximum Appreciation
Derek 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer