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Today, Lake Superior State University releases its Banished Words List, comprised of words and phrases that linguistic purists wish they could ban from the Queen's English for "mis-use, over-use and general uselessness." (And though we hate to nit-pick the nit-pickers, "misuse" requires no hyphen.)
While an open discussion of language is generally a good thing, we take issue with some of 2007's banishments. First, what's wrong with "Brangelina" or "TomKat"? In each case, tabloids have managed to take two entertainment figures who are only semi-entertaining in their own right and combine them into a unit that is much more entertaining than the sum of its parts.
In the political realm, some might find the banishment of "undocumented alien" offensive. Isn't the term "alien" bad enough? Do we need to dehumanize people further by exclusively calling them "illegals"?
Of course, this list is not law. But for some, "banned words" smacks of banned books, banned art, and other injustices stemming from one person thinking that he is more right than someone else. Let's cast off our bow ties and respect every utterance! For communication is sacred and must never be caged.
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Directory categories:
Words and Wordplay, Censorship, Traditional Dictionaries, Slang, Grammar, Usage, and Style |
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Archived under: Censorship, Communication, Grammar, Languages, Society and Culture, Words |
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Comments
Where is the F*&%#@g list?????????? What the hell good is this stupid list if no one can read it. The word "Dis..." used in any way shape or form, be it singularly as a 'word' it's self, or as a ridiculous pre-fix to every thing that could possibly make the sentence completely void of anything grammatically correct. And then there is the word "conversate". Anyone caught using this word should be considered to be giving express permission to anyone within hearing range, permission to cut their tongue out.
Oh..... about the "undocumented alien" and the question of it being offensive should be decided by those subjected to their uninvited presence. The term is being changed quite a bit, from the original 'illegal alien' to many other terms that down play the issue and the crime. Undocumented immigrant.... uninvited house guest, this is just a banished word or two away from folks like you, asking us to call them house guests. They are what they are, "ILLEGAL ALIENS" who have committed a crime. Furthermore, those of you living in the 49 other states in this country and not experiencing this problem first hand can hardly be expected to understand it let alone comment on it or register opinions on it. Even if you have run across a few of these illegal aliens, in your remote location, you are still far and away very, very removed from this problem. So this hardly qualifies you as an expert on this subject, let alone qualified to make any comment. It is not just LSSU students guilty of this transgression though, it is far too many people from all over the USA and any one out side of Ca or AZ should remain moot on the issue as you know nothing of it.
Posted by: stephanieahamm at December 30, 2008 8:14 PM
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