Respectful Language
Peter Kyberd
Description
Collection
Title:
Respectful Language
Creator:
Peter Kyberd
Date:
5/12/1999
Text:
All,
Fearing re-igniting the debate while those the western side of
the Atlantic are asleep, but I read most of the exchanges
last sent while I was sleeping.
Referring to about three or four of the public exchanges....
Like I said I have diabetes, I am not a diabetic and so I would
never wish to refer to someone with fewer than the modal number
of complete limbs as amputee (especially since a large group
never suffered an amputation).
This side of the atlantic the phrase Political correctness is
now a derogatory phrase, suggesting a; precious, strained and
not necessarily sincere and arch way of speaking.
And coupled with the use of a phrase like crip:
This phenomena can be observed in other groups who feel
put upon, (such as those of colour), who can use phrases that are
strongly negative ONLY TO EACH OTHER, wowbetide
anyone outside that group who uses it to them. As a group they
naturally also are concerned with RESPECT to them and each other.
I should like to humbly suggest that PC as a phrase and a
concept is now discredited and Respectful Language (RL) as a phrase
and a concept would suite the situation far better.
Yes it is just words, but then that's partly what this
discussion has been about.
respectfully yours
Peter Kyberd
Oxford University
Fearing re-igniting the debate while those the western side of
the Atlantic are asleep, but I read most of the exchanges
last sent while I was sleeping.
Referring to about three or four of the public exchanges....
Like I said I have diabetes, I am not a diabetic and so I would
never wish to refer to someone with fewer than the modal number
of complete limbs as amputee (especially since a large group
never suffered an amputation).
This side of the atlantic the phrase Political correctness is
now a derogatory phrase, suggesting a; precious, strained and
not necessarily sincere and arch way of speaking.
And coupled with the use of a phrase like crip:
This phenomena can be observed in other groups who feel
put upon, (such as those of colour), who can use phrases that are
strongly negative ONLY TO EACH OTHER, wowbetide
anyone outside that group who uses it to them. As a group they
naturally also are concerned with RESPECT to them and each other.
I should like to humbly suggest that PC as a phrase and a
concept is now discredited and Respectful Language (RL) as a phrase
and a concept would suite the situation far better.
Yes it is just words, but then that's partly what this
discussion has been about.
respectfully yours
Peter Kyberd
Oxford University
Citation
Peter Kyberd, “Respectful Language,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 27, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/211866.
