From: ddawson@mothra.syr.EDU (Dick Dawson)
Subject: Re: Newspeak (was: The Finns of Sweden)
Organization: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Date: Sun, 3 Jan 93 02:06:18 EST

In article <Bz9LrM.G4x@lysator.liu.se> aronsson@lysator.liu.se (Lars Aronsson) writes:
>ddawson@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Dick Dawson) writes:
>>Uh, Jarmo, the term "red-indian" is not well chosen here.  It is
>
>I know that it is common practice in the United States to be
>"politically correct" by using terms like African-American and Native
>American instead of Negro and Indian. I also know that this practice
>is spreading, in lesser extent, to Sweden. For example, it is no
>longer always politically correct to talk about Lapps (lappar), but
>these people should be called Samis (samer).

I hope I didn't give a strong impression of political correctness!  I
personally feel "African-American" is too cumbersome a form.  It's
also inaccurate; doesn't distinguish Negros from Caucasians who are
descended from people who have lived several generations in Africa and
then moved here...  The problem with "Negro" is that it sounds a bit
much like "nigger".

>
>This is part of a larger pattern where vocabulary is changed in the
>belief that peoples minds will also change. 

>These things don't change by changing the language. Instead, if all
>our minds have been twisted, we must all change our minds. Changing
>the language will confuse everybody and draw their attention away from
>the real issue. THIS IS THE REAL INSULT. It is an insult to the
>targeted groups, because it will not help them. And it is an insult to
>all of us, because it tries to imply that we would be stupid enough to
>believe that the evil lies in the language. Changing the language is
>like killing the messenger.

But we can benefit by the knowledge that "red-indian" lacks coolth.

btw, I'm most concerned by the real issue also.  Which I see as being
bigotry in any form, something we probably all carry a bit of, perhaps
unaware of it?  I think we are trying to improve ourselves here...  

>I never had a bad thought about anybody based on the color of their
>skin, or on their cultural background. I have and show respect for
>cleaning ladies. I believe that clean deforestations (kalhyggen) are
>ugly and harmful. I will continue to say
>
>        Negro,          not African-American;		***
>        Lapp,           not Sami;			nnn
>        Finn,           not Suomi;			nnn
>        cleaning lady,  not hygiene technician;	***
>        (kalhygge),     not (foeryngringsyta);		???
>        Indian *,       not Native American; and	ggg
>        Jew,            not Israeli-American.		***
>
>* In Swedish language, there is no risk of mixing America's Indians
>  (indianer) with the people of India (indier).

*** ==> agree
nnn ==> no opinion; insufficient info
??? ==> wait until I learn the language...  :-)
ggg ==> generally agree.  it's more convenient.  without the "red-"

Unfortunately, we don't have that convenience in English.

>Moreover, I wish anybody to feel free to continue to say
>
>	Sweden		instead of Sverige;
>	Gothenburg	instead of Goeteborg; and
>	Linco-ping	instead of Leen-che-ping.
>
>and I will promise not to feel insulted. Have a Good Yule everybody!
>-- 
>Lars Aronsson, Lysator, Linkoping University, Linkoping, Sweden

You're right, Lars; no way to hide attitudes by foxing up the
language.  But info about different folks feelings might help.

God Yul & a good new year yourself.

Dick

Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic