LANGUAGE IS A SLIPPERY, SLIPPERY

SLOPE

Implications for technical communication

ONCE WE’RE DONE EDITING, WE LOSE CONTROL OF OUR WORD’S INTENDED MEANINGS

Misused Words

Example: Cree Indians were a monotonous culture until French and British settlers arrived.

Revision: Cree Indians were a homogenous culture.

ONCE WE’RE DONE EDITING, WE LOSE CONTROL OF OUR WORD’S INTENDED MEANINGS

Meaningless Words

Example: The casing is made of a special material that protects it from extreme heat.

Revision: The polycarbonate casing protects the phone from extreme heat.

ONCE WE’RE DONE EDITING, WE LOSE CONTROL OF OUR WORD’S INTENDED MEANINGS

Words with unwanted connotations or meanings.

Example: Spray the ants in their private places.

Revision: Spray the ants in their hiding places.

ONCE WE’RE DONE EDITING, WE LOSE CONTROL OF OUR WORD’S INTENDED MEANINGS

Words with unwanted connotations or meanings based on purpose

That historical cabin set miles from the reach of developers has been allowed to stand undisturbed for centuries.

That rickety shack in the middle of nowhere hasn't been cared for in ages.

ONCE WE’RE DONE EDITING, WE LOSE CONTROL OF OUR WORD’S INTENDED MEANINGS

Jargon or Technical Terms

Example: The dialectical interface between project members creates an algorithm for successful communication.

Revision: The dialogue between project members creates a model for successful communication.

WE DON’T ALWAYS GET THE REACTION WE WANT

WE MAKE LIGHT OF THE SERIOUS

TONE DEAFNESS

TONE DEAFNESS

OUR HUMOR/SARCASM/SATIRE DOESN’T COME ACROSS

Justine Sacco , PR representative for IAC (parent company of over 150 internet brands) was fired while on the plane. Found out upon landing.

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXTExamples of Spanish words that vary by region:

“Coger” means “to hold” in SpainIt means “have sex” in Argentina

“Pendejo” is an insult referring to a lower body part region in Mexico.In Argentina it’s a “small boy.”

“Mona” is a “pretty girl” in SpainIt’s a “conceited girl” in VenezuelaIt’s a “blonde girl” in Columbia

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXTExamples of English words that vary by region (low stakes)

Shopping cart (Midwest & East) vs. shopping buggy (South)

Long johns (Midwest & South) vs. thermals (East & West)

Soda vs. pop

Bag vs. sack

Sucker vs. lollipop

Billfold (South) vs. wallet

Iced tea vs. sweet tea (South)

WHY IS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS S0 SCARY?

CONCESSION: PC CAN GO A LITTLE TOO FAR: PORTLAND PRINCIPAL DECLARES PB&JS ARE RACIST

“What about Somali or Hispanic students, who might not eat sandwiches?” Another way would be to say: ‘Americans eat peanut butter and jelly, do you have anything like that?’ Let them tell you. Maybe they eat torta. Or pita.”

THIS IS NOT POLITICAL CORRECTNESS; THIS IS INSANITY AND BAD TEACHING

MY DEFINITION FOR POLITICAL CORRECTNESS (AND MOST SANE PEOPLE’S)

The recognition that words and labels are powerfulThe sensitivity to let others tell you how they want to be defined (especially when it’s a group that you personally have little experience with what their lives are like)Realizing that just because something doesn’t directly bother or affect you, it might have a good reason to bother/effect someone else and the human decency to respect that.

Often, when you think or express that someone shouldn’t be bothered by something (or should stop being so sensitive) it’s highly likely you belong to social groupings (of race, class, gender, etc.) who have historically had the power to define the world to your preferences without anyone pointing out the problematic nature of some of those definitions.

That is changing. Slowly. And that leads to some social unrest in the process.

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS TREATING PEOPLE WITH RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE

Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently

“He” to refer to all people

Not everybody is a he English lacks gender neutral singular pronouns Just because sexism is built into our language, it does not mean we need to perpetuate it

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN THE WORKPLACE

Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently

“He” to refer to all people

English lacks a gender neutral singular pronouns If the user needs assistance with set-up, he can call the help line. (makes all users men)

If the user needs assistance, they can call the help line. (grammatically incorrect)

If users need assistance, they can call the help line. (Make subject plural)

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN THE WORKPLACE

Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently

“He” to refer to all people

Master/Slave Computer Hierarchy

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN THE WORKPLACE

Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently

“He” to refer to all people

Master/Slave Computer Hierarchy

African-American

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN THE WORKPLACE

Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently

“He” to refer to all people

Master/Slave Computer Hierarchy

African-American

Oriental (from the Latin “oriens” referring to sun rising in the east)

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN THE WORKPLACE

Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently

“He” to refer to all people

Master/Slave Computer Hierarchy

African-American

Oriental (from the Latin “oriens” referring to sun rising in the east)

“Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend or wife/husband?”

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN THE WORKPLACE

Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently

“He” to refer to all people

Master/Slave Computer Hierarchy

African-American

Oriental (from the Latin “oriens” referring to sun rising in the east)

“Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend or wife/husband?”

Merry Christmas

IDIOMS

DON’T HITCHHIKE IN GREECE

VICTORY OR MASSIVE INSULT?

I AM HAVING SEX WITH YOUR WIFE (IN ITALY)

VISUALITY

Colors Across Different Cultures

http://www.atlantis-webportfolios.com/world/colors.html

NEUTRALITY IN LANGUAGE IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE

The way something is said will always play a role in how the communication is received

Specific word choices Organization of material Details included versus details left out Visual design of page Email versus printed memo So much more