Is it really about manipulation of language? Language IS manipulation. Language is a means to communicate concepts to others - which always has some motivation, overt or background. We always have some purpose or goal when we reach out to others.
Thus, the point is not about manipulation, but about the person behind the particular message. Is there honesty? Sincerity? Respect for the other? Intention to reach a win-win target? Or…?
Stanford list: While I can agree with a few terms being avoided, for example - half-breed, I think most sensitive people will know and avoid them.
However, how anyone can think India summer should be avoided is beyond me.
I don't see any difference between, "this person is senile" and "this person is suffering from senility".
The people assembling the list did not really do their homework. Thug is really from India where there were groups called that who befriended travellers and then when their victims were getting tired murdered them by choking with a scalf (a rumal) around the neck; the word translates as deceiver. They were investigated by William Sleeman in the 19th century, arrested and the practice stopped.
The list is insane, "surprising" would be an understatement. The people who made the list are stupid, not boring or uncool.
Thanks. It was very late and I missed that one in the first line of the second para.
I've been mostly bedbound for most of the last week - I became a pretty shade of apricot yellow and my blood sugar was pretty up there because my liver and pancreas decided to go on holiday due to a gallstone blocking my common bile duct. I managed to take enough Ursodeoxycholic Acid to shrink the stone enough to pass (man does THAT ever hurt) - which was lucky because the efficient NHS has me on a waiting list that is TWO YEARS long just to get a FIRST appointment with the gastrobiliary surgical consultant.
Sorry to hear that. Indeed; when I was in hospital in 2011 just prior to a cholecystectomy, the pain was so bad that if there were a loaded pistol beside the hospital bed I would have been sorely tempted to put it to my head, if I hadn't already gone through pericarditis and multiple concurrent pulmonary embolisms. Point being though; that life after removal of the gall bladder is worse. Your approach is valid. Also, repeat 'coffin dodgers' like you and me know how bad the traumatic stress from the pain can be. Keep on fighting on, a tenacious mind is too valuable to waste.
“Language is the way by which people communicate with one another, build relationships, and create a sense of community.” Yes, but it also is a way to create sub-communities, and to establish social hierarchy or social division. Language evolves and dialects diverge. A language is simply a dialect with an environment. Autocratic governments control communication and controlling language is a means to controlling communication.
Is it really about manipulation of language? Language IS manipulation. Language is a means to communicate concepts to others - which always has some motivation, overt or background. We always have some purpose or goal when we reach out to others.
Thus, the point is not about manipulation, but about the person behind the particular message. Is there honesty? Sincerity? Respect for the other? Intention to reach a win-win target? Or…?
Stanford list: While I can agree with a few terms being avoided, for example - half-breed, I think most sensitive people will know and avoid them.
However, how anyone can think India summer should be avoided is beyond me.
I don't see any difference between, "this person is senile" and "this person is suffering from senility".
The people assembling the list did not really do their homework. Thug is really from India where there were groups called that who befriended travellers and then when their victims were getting tired murdered them by choking with a scalf (a rumal) around the neck; the word translates as deceiver. They were investigated by William Sleeman in the 19th century, arrested and the practice stopped.
The list is insane, "surprising" would be an understatement. The people who made the list are stupid, not boring or uncool.
Spelling: it’s or its? Please fix this
Thanks. It was very late and I missed that one in the first line of the second para.
I've been mostly bedbound for most of the last week - I became a pretty shade of apricot yellow and my blood sugar was pretty up there because my liver and pancreas decided to go on holiday due to a gallstone blocking my common bile duct. I managed to take enough Ursodeoxycholic Acid to shrink the stone enough to pass (man does THAT ever hurt) - which was lucky because the efficient NHS has me on a waiting list that is TWO YEARS long just to get a FIRST appointment with the gastrobiliary surgical consultant.
Sorry to hear that. Indeed; when I was in hospital in 2011 just prior to a cholecystectomy, the pain was so bad that if there were a loaded pistol beside the hospital bed I would have been sorely tempted to put it to my head, if I hadn't already gone through pericarditis and multiple concurrent pulmonary embolisms. Point being though; that life after removal of the gall bladder is worse. Your approach is valid. Also, repeat 'coffin dodgers' like you and me know how bad the traumatic stress from the pain can be. Keep on fighting on, a tenacious mind is too valuable to waste.
“Language is the way by which people communicate with one another, build relationships, and create a sense of community.” Yes, but it also is a way to create sub-communities, and to establish social hierarchy or social division. Language evolves and dialects diverge. A language is simply a dialect with an environment. Autocratic governments control communication and controlling language is a means to controlling communication.