The evolution of the expression “disability” in Chinese reflects two notable periods of change, coinciding with the international community’s definition and the widespread promotion of equality. In the 1980s, the United Nations’ emphasis on disability rights led to the replacement in Chinese of the term canfei (残废, handicapped) with canji (残疾, disabled), challenging stereotypes and promoting equality and diversity. In the new millennium, China’s disability programs reached a more advanced stage, characterized by the term canzhang (残障, persons with disabilities). Media outlets were also urged to use respectful language when addressing persons with disabilities (PWD), further encouraging their social engagement. From a sociological and philosophical perspective, this study examines the impact of the Politics of Recognition Theory on the translation of “disability” into Chinese. The analysis indicates that linguistic change may shape the identity of PWD and improve the public’s perception of equality for marginalized groups. In language education, this theory fosters critical language awareness, enabling learners to analyze and question dominant ideologies, discriminatory language practices, and linguistic inequalities. Therefore, this progress in language use will shed new light on the training of professional interpreters and empower the role of language in civic education.