Page
This page is a collection of articles about the English language, discussing very different things. The page contains articles discussing serious matters such as the empowerment of women and gay marriage, but also (slightly) less important topics such as "where to stick your apostrophe". Overall, the writers on The Guardian are discussing the uses and abuses of language.
Type "Illegal" into Google, Chances are it will Autocomplete to "immigration"
The article is focussing on colloquial language, the fact that "certain words just go. They tessellate. They interdigitate. Like harmonic notes and complementary colours and best friends at school, certain words sit nicely together" - but particularly the associations formed between "migrant", "immigrant" and "illegal". When a child was playing a word association game, they happened to be given the word "illegal", to which they quickly responded with "immigrant". The power of colloquial words is evident in the fact that after being autocomplete, and read on social media so may times it seems that even in our brains we autocomplete "immigrant" and "illegal", permanently taking the innocence.
Gay or straight, let's embrace the language of marriage equality
"Gay marriage" is discussed in this article as a term that is quite peculiar. Much like the opening sentence - "Today I got out of my gay bed, kissed my gay boyfriend goodbye, went to the gym with my gay neighbour and then cycled my gay bike to my gay job", it seems ridiculous that this is how same-sex relationships are discussed. It seems that the fact that marriage is a religious ceremony (which is becoming less common in the 21st century), this type of marriage must be labelled as being almost 'unnatural' and 'wrong' compared to what a lot of people see as 'normal' marriage. The article suggests that this term could be changed to "same-sex marriage" as it seems less loaded than "gay". Although I do agree that the term itself seems superfluous, I can't see why "gay marriage" has to be labelled - it's just the marriage of two people after all.
Monday, 15 February 2016
Eight words that reveal the sexism at the heart of the English language
Article
This is an article that highlights the sexist remarks inside the Oxford English Dictionary. It mentions things such as marked forms, as well as derogative terms that are aimed at women. The article begins with discussing the sexist comments about women used to describe certain words, and what we associate with them. The word "rabid" being followed by "feminist" in the dictionary, suggests that being a feminist is a negative thing and maybe that it can be seen as a derogative form. Again, words such as "nagging" are followed by "wife", as well as "grating" and "shrill" being used to describe women's voices but not the men's. This all talks about women in a negative way, constantly putting them down and being insulting rather than using more positive terms such as "strong" which may have been associated with men.
It is mentioned that The Oxford Dictionary publishers have noted that these things are not their own views, but from things we would likely hear in general English conversation, thus suggesting that the problem is with English Speakers, and not this dictionary itself. As the article continues, it mentions and explains certain words that are now found in the dictionary which are a derogative to women, a marked form or just politically incorrect. Words such as "hussy" and "governess" are discussed, which are used in a way to put women down and insult them. This article shows how social conditions have left their mark on our language, and how it is still evolving and changing. Hopefully, our language will evolve and grow in a way that allows it to not be sexist, but for now there is a problem at the heart of the English language.
This is an article that highlights the sexist remarks inside the Oxford English Dictionary. It mentions things such as marked forms, as well as derogative terms that are aimed at women. The article begins with discussing the sexist comments about women used to describe certain words, and what we associate with them. The word "rabid" being followed by "feminist" in the dictionary, suggests that being a feminist is a negative thing and maybe that it can be seen as a derogative form. Again, words such as "nagging" are followed by "wife", as well as "grating" and "shrill" being used to describe women's voices but not the men's. This all talks about women in a negative way, constantly putting them down and being insulting rather than using more positive terms such as "strong" which may have been associated with men.
It is mentioned that The Oxford Dictionary publishers have noted that these things are not their own views, but from things we would likely hear in general English conversation, thus suggesting that the problem is with English Speakers, and not this dictionary itself. As the article continues, it mentions and explains certain words that are now found in the dictionary which are a derogative to women, a marked form or just politically incorrect. Words such as "hussy" and "governess" are discussed, which are used in a way to put women down and insult them. This article shows how social conditions have left their mark on our language, and how it is still evolving and changing. Hopefully, our language will evolve and grow in a way that allows it to not be sexist, but for now there is a problem at the heart of the English language.
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
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