Aunt Sally Asks: "What do you think about the use of politically correct language. I sometimes find it very difficult to remember the correct language and phrases I'm supposed to use. I don't want to embarrass myself and I don't want to hurt the feelings of people by using the wrong words."
The world has gone mad when it comes to political correctness. This is political point-scoring and nothing to do with the reality of everyday life. I believe that political correctness is all bollocks. The expression "politically correct" refers to the use of language that would not cause an individual or group to feel excluded or offended. Common usage of this form of "PC language" is often aimed directly at the disability community. People assume that by being politically correct, any form of disrespectful language will be avoided. It seems to me that an unnatural awkwardness is intrinsically part of the use of this sort of language. We need an attitude changes towards the disabled, rather than allow poor attitudes to be covered up with "preferred" language, that makes no sense and does not change the disrespectful behaviour.
In the politically correct world asking a lady "Do you have a boyfriend?" would be politically incorrect. As it makes them exclusively heterosexual. Yet in the real world we would not make any politically correct assumptions or generalisations What we are asking in reality is "Are you seeing or dating anyone of either gender?" Which if we asked the politically correct question, has an unnatural awkwardness in everyday use of language. Because your asking them to identify which way someone swings.
Should I ask someone involved in an accident if they are alive, or temporarily metabolically abled. If someone is bald, should I refer to them as follicular challenged. If someone has BO are they really displaying, a non discretionary fragrance. If someone is clumsy, would you describe them as uniquely coordinated. Would you describe a fairy to your children as a petite airborne humanoid with mystical powers. I know that the fastest way for a bloke to loose his girlfriend would be to describe her as an unpaid sex worker.
People have disabilities, they are not defined by them. In many cases, simply addressing the person who has mental, physical, or other disabilities in the same terms as you would address anyone else is the ideal solution. More significant is the idea that the disability is something to be avoided by pointing out the person is more important than the disability. Linguists will recognise the phenomenon that George Carlin describes as the "euphemism treadmill" in which new PC words and phrases are invented to avoid the negative connotations that the old ones have taken on.
George Carlin
Join the Campaign Against Political Correctness. This is the national coordinating body in the fight. You can sign the petition and get hold of some literature which you can use to start a campaign locally. Be brave - Political Correctness is so insidious that it just bypasses most people. But when brought to their attention, I have never found anyone that didn't say something like "Oh yes, I've seen a few bits in the papers about the silly things they say."
Regards.
Uncle Mort.
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