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Offensive Words
Topic Started: Thursday, 16. September 2010, 19:54 (832 Views)
Rose of York
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OsullivanB
Sunday, 19. September 2010, 15:27
I would draw the distinction between identification and categorisation. The one respects the integrity of the person as an individual; the other doesn't.
That says it all, in a few words.
Keep the Faith!

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K.T.B.

Followed on from the "Argue about Latin..." thread.
Technically, the term, "raghead" may not technically be racist, but it is derogatory.

Here's a dictionary definition: ,

http://oxforddictionaries.com/view/entry/m_en_gb0684340#m_en_gb0684340.

I, for one, find it offensive.




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Clare
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Putting the "Fun Dame" into Fundamentalist
It depends on the spirit in which it is used.

Lots of often offensive terms are used affectionately by friends, in humour.

S.A.G.

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Rose of York
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Clare
Sunday, 3. October 2010, 10:52
It depends on the spirit in which it is used.

Lots of often offensive terms are used affectionately by friends, in humour.

By friends, in humour, in private, between themselves.

A friend may tease me, a Catholic, calling me a Mick. The use of the expression in any situation other than privately between friends, can be offensive.
Keep the Faith!

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Clare
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Putting the "Fun Dame" into Fundamentalist
Rose of York
Sunday, 3. October 2010, 11:31
A friend may tease me, a Catholic, calling me a Mick. The use of the expression in any situation other than privately between friends, can be offensive.
Or when talking to someone whose name is actually Mick!
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Mairtin
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Clare
Sunday, 3. October 2010, 10:52
It depends on the spirit in which it is used.

Lots of often offensive terms are used affectionately by friends, in humour.

I have some black friends who would probably take no offence if I called them nigger in an affectionate way.

Would that make it okay for me to post on this forum about me buying a mobile phone cover from some nigger in our local market?
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Derekap
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The problem is that use of a word or phrase cannot be expressed in writing with exactly the same intonation, stress and subtedly as the voice.
Therefore the same word or phrase in print can be offensive or innocent but when spoken the real meaning is often much clearer according to prevailing circumstances.

Also what may be offensive in one area of these islands may be quite inoffensive in another area even within England itself.

In other circumstances, when I was first practising to read during Holy Mass, I found different ways of saying the same phrase or sentence, yet the printed version was the same.
Edited by Derekap, Sunday, 3. October 2010, 16:37.
Derekap
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Mairtin
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Derekap
Sunday, 3. October 2010, 16:27
Also what may be offensive in one area of these islands may be quite inoffensive in another area even within England itself.
Which is exactly why people should not use derogatory language to strangers or about strangers or to mark out otherwise anonymous people as belonging to any particular ethnic group.
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Clare
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Putting the "Fun Dame" into Fundamentalist
Evidently, it depends on the ethnic group.

We can get away with using words like "Paddy" in the context of a forum. I imagine it would be obvious from the context if the use of the word "frogs" to describe the French were intended maliciously or humorously. Yanks. Krauts. And so on.

But for some reason, we have to be extra careful with some ethnic groups.

Why more sensitivity about some than others? Doesn't it suggest that we regard some ethnic groups as better able to take it than others? Isn't that itself racist? The belief that one has to tread more carefully with some groups than with others?

Just thinking aloud!
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Poesy
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Clare
Sunday, 3. October 2010, 17:03
Evidently, it depends on the ethnic group.

We can get away with using words like "Paddy" in the context of a forum. I imagine it would be obvious from the context if the use of the word "frogs" to describe the French were intended maliciously or humorously. Yanks. Krauts. And so on.

But for some reason, we have to be extra careful with some ethnic groups.

Why more sensitivity about some than others? Doesn't it suggest that we regard some ethnic groups as better able to take it than others? Isn't that itself racist? The belief that one has to tread more carefully with some groups than with others?

Just thinking aloud!
Isn't that itself racist? The belief that one has to tread more carefully with some groups than with others?


No Clare, Just cowardly!



Domine Jesu, noverim me .
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Derekap
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Or the French term 'Les Rosbeef' for the English!
Derekap
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Rose of York
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Derekap
Sunday, 3. October 2010, 16:27
In other circumstances, when I was first practising to read during Holy Mass, I found different ways of saying the same phrase or sentence, yet the printed version was the same.
That's because you're a Yorkie, you old Tyke.
:rofl:
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Poesy
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In my opinion, the whole thing about derogatory nicknames is very immature can become extremely tiresome, even among friends.

I think 'Raghead' is cruel and derogatory to a Sikh. I have some lovely Sikh ladies in my neighbourhood, they are so polite and friendly, always ready to pass the time of day with you.
Edited by Poesy, Sunday, 3. October 2010, 17:21.
Domine Jesu, noverim me .
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Rose of York
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Poesy
Sunday, 3. October 2010, 17:20
In my opinion, the whole thing about derogaroy nicknames is very immature can become extremely tiresome, even among friends.

I think 'Raghead' is cruel and derogatory to a Sikh. I have some lovely Sikh ladies in my neighbourhood, they are so polite and friendly, always ready to pass the time of day with you.
I know a Lancastrian who isn't too bad.

:rofl:
Keep the Faith!

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OsullivanB

Clare
 
We can get away with using words like "Paddy" in the context of a forum
Not unless there is a clearly legitimate reason for using it.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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