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language police
Thomas W. Rimkus (trimkus@COMP.UARK.EDU)
Sat, 4 Nov 1995 20:34:10 -0600
On Sat, 4 Nov 1995, Allan Dunn wrote:
> On Sat, 4 Nov 1995, Ruby Rohrlich wrote:
>
> > While it is undoubtedly true that changing attitudes precedes changing
> > language, still perhaps it helps change attitudes when those of us whose
> > attitudes have changed indicate the changes in language that have
> > ensued. Ruby Rohrlich
>
> What worries me, however, is who is "us", and that the language may have
> changed for a portion of intelligencia (which could be a start), but not for
> speakers in general, which only alienates and seperates them.
> If the aim is descriptive, not directive then I happen to agree with you.
> The best vehicle for change in language
> is awareness and usage by speakers in that language
>
> AD
>
This is a rehash of a thread that went nowhere last spring. As long as
a minority demands a change of meaning for political or personal gain, the
change will be resisted by the greater majority of the users of the
language and the minority will find itself talking only to itself. The
shallow hypocrisy of PC is visible to all and one is not going to raise
anyone's conciousness by stuffing old words with revised but politically
tired meaning down equally tired ears. If one wishes to change the mind
of the masses, one better speak the language of the masses.
Tom Rimkus
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| Tom Rimkus | phone/fax : 501-559-2863 |
| Madison County | internet : trimkus@comp.uark.edu |
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