which one is the correct word, "discapacitado" or "incapacitado"

Question

Jose esta discapacitado.

Jose esta incapacitado.

Answer 1

It is a matter of fashion and political influence. In Spain, it used to be "incapacitado" at some point, but because of the English influence, now "discapacitado" has also become mainstream. When there is a discrepancy, English speakers tend to think (don't be offended) that the world swirls around them, while Spanish speakers (with our inferiority complex) tend to think that they got it all wrong, so statistically speaking, "discapacitado" is likely to win, but no one can tell for sure.

But the world does swirl around them - apparently. Once I saw a pair of English-speaking idiot professors in the middle of the Siberian forest in Akademgorodok stop to comment on the beauty of a Russian couple´s baby - 005faa61, May 19, 2011

All comments in English with the couple, and baby, not understanding a single word - 005faa61, May 19, 2011

Well we shout when someone doesn't understand what we are saying - it's a start :) - ian-hill, May 19, 2011

Answer 2

I agree with all the comments here.

When I left Chile 32 years ago, it was "incapacitado", now it is discapacitado, and they are being "cul"

Answer 3

The only useful difference that I know of is "Incapacitado" may be used in legal terms with a meaning of "Prohibited" and "Discapacitado" is not.

So the RAE isn´t sucking up completely to Oxford in this case - maybe just 90%

Answer 4

Both are correct, but have barely different meanings. What are you traying to say?