Try The Language

So, there it is. Improve the ridiculous system in the Australian schools and we might have a better group of graduates (regardless of their ages), who will help to improve society, rather than be a burden to it. It does not seem to be an impossible suggestion. But why are so many too scared to implement it? Make an individual feel, like an individual. Make a person responsible for their actions, behaviours and responses. Is some of this fear of potential labelling, affected by the impact of that terrible ‘government driven creature hiding in the corners of our society? The concept that is forcing it’s way deeper, and deeper, into our social framework, with ever increasing effects for it’s over-bearing rules? I refer to the dreadfully, all-encompassing stupidness of political correctness? But  again (yes, time and time again) I digress from my original line of revelation. Here, I had just done my first significant performance to a delighted audience of my fellow class ‘mates’ (not that I ever really felt close to any of them, but then they were called ‘mates’ anyway). But there again, 'mates' is a term of  Australian ‘historical’ reference and significance, which is, according to a recent news story (apparently), not going to be permitted to be used by staff in some hospitals in Australia. It has been deemed as ‘too familiar’.

I will just say there is a word missing in the definition of political correctness, that word is ‘context’. What is the purpose and context of the language? Mate, is usually a friendly term, when you do not know the name of whom you are dealing with. It is a way of comforting communication  to encourage the trust with those you are speaking to. It is not demeaning, sexist or derogatory, unless, ‘you’ want it to be. So before you scream, “Inappropriate use of language’ from your glittering towers of political correctness, look at the context of any of the language or terms being used, and decide in each individual case, is it appropriate or not? You cannot create a blanket rule for the use of any specific word or term.

A classic example is the argument for changing certain words. This drive to change ‘man’ holes (drain covers in the road way and footpaths) to ‘people holes’ or (this is my favourite) ‘fore man’ to ‘fore person’. The first problem is the meaning of the title. It is not gender specific. A ‘Fore man’ is a name that came from the Latin. ‘Fore mana’ meaning ‘Leading Hand’ It is nothing to do with gender! It does not specify male or female. It meant the one who directed, taught or instructed. I keep telling those who scream for the application of political correctness to such a term, to learn the base language, and understand the word, before crying out for the change, simply  for the sake of three letters (m.a.n.). Or are we going to start calling the insect the ‘praying people-tis” (Praying Mantis)? Or will they demand that people go and get a ‘people-icure (manicure)?

(Continued tomorrow)