According to some critics who support Political Correcteness, language shapes the speaker’s mind. Political Correctness is a term which intends to minimize offence to racial, cultural, or other identity groups. In other words, PCness is a non-offensive use of language and also of ideas.
A good example would be the expression “Employees are allowed to bring their wives and children” which presupposes that all employees are men, heterosexuals, that they are married and that they have children as well. This expression seems to be leaving out homosexuals, single and childless men and therefore, it would be considered a “discriminatory or offensive expression”. Other expressions such as “horizontally challenged” or “black” instead of “fat” or “negro” have been proposed by PC supporters. The purpose of using inclusive or neutral language is to make people aware of the language they use and make them reflect on the different choices they can make to avoid discrimination.
Contrary to this view, Political Correcteness opponents believe that PCness fosters censorship and endangers free speech. According to them, language, which is ingrained in a given culture, represents ideologies, thoughts and beliefs and should, for this reason, be respected. PCness opponents see PCness supporters as extremists. Hence, PCness opponents usually employ satirical expressions, such as “chronologically challenged” instead of “old” to express their point of view against PCness supporters. These satirical expressions have provoked a number of jokes. As a consequence, PCness is sometimes not considered a serious matter.
Though, the term Political Correcteness is not widely used in Argentina, there is evidence that it is gradually being employed in certain contexts such as public organizations. Some years ago, when someone filled a form, she or he found the following expression printed on it: “El que suscribe” “El Sr…” as if women were not capable of filling any administrative document. Nowadays, it is common to read “El/La que suscribe...”.However, the Argentines still employ offensive language in everyday conversations. For instance, the word “black”, as in many countries, has a negative connotation. For this reason, it is frequent to hear “Es un negro” to refer to somebody who belongs to the low class, or the term “Bolita” to refer to somebody who comes from Bolivia. This may imply that the person uttering the word “Bolita” feels superior to the person coming from Bolivia.
In my opinion, a PC policy should be implemented in different spheres of life such as school or work in order to avoid discrimination. However, I believe there should exist a reasonable use of Pcness to avoid censoring free speech and debate.
A good example would be the expression “Employees are allowed to bring their wives and children” which presupposes that all employees are men, heterosexuals, that they are married and that they have children as well. This expression seems to be leaving out homosexuals, single and childless men and therefore, it would be considered a “discriminatory or offensive expression”. Other expressions such as “horizontally challenged” or “black” instead of “fat” or “negro” have been proposed by PC supporters. The purpose of using inclusive or neutral language is to make people aware of the language they use and make them reflect on the different choices they can make to avoid discrimination.
Contrary to this view, Political Correcteness opponents believe that PCness fosters censorship and endangers free speech. According to them, language, which is ingrained in a given culture, represents ideologies, thoughts and beliefs and should, for this reason, be respected. PCness opponents see PCness supporters as extremists. Hence, PCness opponents usually employ satirical expressions, such as “chronologically challenged” instead of “old” to express their point of view against PCness supporters. These satirical expressions have provoked a number of jokes. As a consequence, PCness is sometimes not considered a serious matter.
Though, the term Political Correcteness is not widely used in Argentina, there is evidence that it is gradually being employed in certain contexts such as public organizations. Some years ago, when someone filled a form, she or he found the following expression printed on it: “El que suscribe” “El Sr…” as if women were not capable of filling any administrative document. Nowadays, it is common to read “El/La que suscribe...”.However, the Argentines still employ offensive language in everyday conversations. For instance, the word “black”, as in many countries, has a negative connotation. For this reason, it is frequent to hear “Es un negro” to refer to somebody who belongs to the low class, or the term “Bolita” to refer to somebody who comes from Bolivia. This may imply that the person uttering the word “Bolita” feels superior to the person coming from Bolivia.
In my opinion, a PC policy should be implemented in different spheres of life such as school or work in order to avoid discrimination. However, I believe there should exist a reasonable use of Pcness to avoid censoring free speech and debate.
Well done, Anahi, v good piece!
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ha! loved the pic!
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