Des Coop                                                                                   FDC Mod 206

 Debate Surrounding Language and Political Correctness

Term 1 2007

Foundation Degree Course

Module 206

Tutor  - Tim Davies

Student - Des Coop

This essay is intended to explore the debate surrounding language use and its correlation with the various viewpoints expressed in the wider arena of Political Correctness (PC).  I will begin by discussing what the term signifies and explore its origins. I will examine the stance of those holding an ideological view against those more influenced by the discourse. All would argue that the debate is not just about language but also about power. I will then discuss how language may be used and move to outline the main groups in society who are involved. I will delineate the viewpoints provided by each distinct perspective. I will then outline my conclusions with a summary of what I consider to be the most important issues I have uncovered.

A definition of Political Correctness provided by WorldNet is,

 ‘the avoidance of expressions or actions that can be perceived to exclude or marginalize or insult people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against’.

 (2007)

Jones and Wareing in an extract from the book ‘Language, Society and Power’ say,

‘The origins of the term and concept of ‘Political Correctness’ are interesting and complicated. The term is used as an insult, a joke and in sincerity by people who believe in its importance.’  

 

(2004 p36 3.3.2)  

The term ‘Political Correctness’ is therefore ideologically weighted, as opposed to being a simple description or discourse of a system or belief. The term has differing connotation dependent on a person’s viewpoint. It is also used in an ironic sense to mock language or behaviour, which is actually intended to guarantee a minimum of offence as regards race, colour, religion and other groups when being described.

In an article reproduced from the ‘Encyclopaedia of American History’, the origins of Political Correctness are outlined as follows,

‘Originally used by old-guard communists to mean toeing the party line, the term ‘politically correct was resurrected in the 1970s and early 1980s by rightist writers and activists, who used it in an ironic sense to mock the Left's tendency toward dogmatic adherence to "progressive" behaviour and speech.

The term entered general use in the late 1980s, when neoconservatives adopted political correctness’ as a disparaging name for what they believed was rigid adherence to multicultural ideals on college campuses.’ 

(2007)

As a basic ideology, being ‘politically correct’, means that unacceptable behaviour or discrimination should be legally discouraged. Acceptable behaviour should be encouraged by law. Thus equality legislation now exists and discrimination to assist minorities is provided for by policies such as positive action. Positive discrimination remains unlawful in the United Kingdom.

Offensive or insensitive speech is not limited to a specific group of words. It can be hurtful and insulting to use any type of vocabulary, if that is the intent. In most cases it is easy to avoid obviously offensive slurs and comments. More subtle use of lexis, which forms an ingrained part of our language or is habitual, is much harder to change. For example the use of masculine gender pronouns used to represent both sexes has proved difficult to address and although some progress has been made, indeed is still prevalent to this day.

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The abandonment of traditional language usage has also upset many people. Many seemingly inoffensive terms develop negative connotations over time and become dated or go out of style as awareness changes. Members of a group may use terms freely that would be considered offensive if used by non-members. For example it may be acceptable for male homosexuals to call each other ‘queer’ or as ‘old poofters’, but the use of such language by the general population, would have negative connotation by those who believe in the protection of minority groups by insisting on the use of PC terms. Historically the ...

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