Language and Usage: You, Me and Everybody
Non-discrimination with regard to language is defined as fairness in treating people without prejudice. Fairness, did I say? Unfortunately languages do not behave in a gentlemanly way. And, especially old languages. Even though words are arbitrary in nature, old languages reflect the power structure of its history, and over a century or millennium may or may not have changed enough to reflect modern democratic values. All through history, and to this day to a lesser extent, brute force has dominated human behavior. Men generally being stronger have lorded over women and children. And, this fact undoubtably has influenced the way we speak of one another and to one another. We need to exchange opinions, even if they are contrary to our own, by showing people utmost respect to whoever might think differently. Otherwise, it is a sad comment on ourselves and, it goes without saying, our upbringing and culture. It is a linguistic and cultural double-edge sword. New societies are more open-minded and this attitude can be seen in language usage although discrimination is obvious even today. Unless we make a conscious attempt to weed out discriminatory words and phrases from our everyday vocabulary and usage, languages will continue to mirror inequality and prejudice. Some societies have linguistic groups, government and non-governmental, whose job is to keep an eye on language. Power is intimately associated and mirrored in language usage. For a moment reflect on your language whatever it might be, and sooner than later you will come up with a basketful of words and phrases which are used to abuse and ridicule people who are the other or female or poor or low caste or lack social status or have a different sexual orientation, etc. They all do not receive the rightful respect due to them. One of the unassailable positives of the feminist movement in the eighties is the democratization of American English, and its influence which has spread worldwide. The de-weeding process I think is valid and necessary for all languages. Goa University needs to set up a committee for the reform of language usage. If the government is not keen on it, then scholars can work unofficially to make a language not just a vehicle of communication, of mutual respect, too. Newspapers can print a series on this important theme for a general readership in a spirit of education and a sharing of democratic values. And, no doubt, everyone will benefit from it.
