Political Correctness Flashcards
What is political correctness
The way that language can be adapted to minimise social inequalities
Avoids insults, controlling people, sexism, racism,
Why are people resistant to PC
Seen as a form of controlling peoples freedom of thought and expression
Can cause resentment
People do not like to be challenged on their views
Arguments for the use of PC
Helps shape social attitudes
Acts as a symbol that society is committed to becoming more equal and inclusive
Arguments against PC
People feel restricted and can’t speak their minds
Language only reflects social attitudes not shape them
Creates resentment against the groups it tries to protect
PC theorists
Deborah Cameron
Verbal hygiene
People attempt to clean up language and make its structure conform with correctness
PC causes anxiety in white middle class men because it challenges the power of the majority
Linguistic determinism
Language shapes thoughts
If we don’t have the words for a concept we can’t think about it
Linguistic reflection aims
Thoughts are reflected through the use of language rather than language controlling thoughts
Steven pinker
Words that replace offensive terms over time become offensive themselves such as retard
Norman Fairclough
PC isn’t enough, we need to change society and the way they think
Harvey and shalom
A problem area is often indicated by the large number of alternative words for something
Dysphemistic- fuck, shag, screw, bonk
The sun often uses bonk over fuck
