We are in the age of “politically correct ” (PC) language. Not “Blacks” but”African Americans”, not “man hours” but “person hours”, not “sex” but “gender” and the list goes on.
“Politically correct language is humourous in its seriousness” says Walter E. Williams, Professor of Economics at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.
There is no doubt that we must be sensitive in the use of language such that it does not offend any one. However, are we in the process making language more tedious? Does a “dishonest” person feel better at being called “ethically disoriented”? Is a “fat “person any less fat by being referred to as being, “circumferencially privileged”? Would a “clumsy” person become more adept by being described as “uniquely co-ordinated”? Is a short person “vertically challenged”? Should the 33rd President of the United States, have been called Harry S. Trueperson?
On July 20, 1969 on landing on the moon, Neil Armstong said some thing which has become immortal” A small step for man, a giant step for mankind”. As an article I read somewhere said: ” Would he, if he were to do the same thing again, today say:” One small step for a person, one giant movement for all persons regardless of age, sex, religion, creed, national origin, physical limitatation or lifestyle preference”(edited to remove offensive content)?
Filed under: Communication
