Politically Correct Language

1. How does your language deal with grammatical gender? Is it based on something clear-cut such as the form of the word e.g. words with particular endings are all feminine, or on biological considerations e.g. a male animal is masculine? In French, the feminine word 'Sainteté' is used to describe religious leaders; when describing the Pope (always male), this leads to a dilemma on the choice of article: le or la? This is called a 'natural- grammatical gender conflict'. Does your language have any of these?

2. Do you think that languages that have grammatical genders are more likely to discriminate against women?

Read article here: PC Language Reading

3. What is your reaction? What reaction did the author want you to have?

4. Would you ever use any of the phrases suggested in the article? Have you heard of any other examples of PC language?

5. Were you surprised that these language-use recommendations came from a university? Why/why not? Is it the role of universities to try and influence language use? Do universities in your country make similar recommendations?

6. Are there any other examples of political correctness in your society?

7. What are the arguments for and against politically correct language? Are the differences between people a reason to celebrate or a source of problems?

8. Is there a state institution that monitors the use of your country's language? Do they make recommendations on language use? Would you like to see any changes made to your language (spelling reform, simplification)?

9. "Language and society are constantly evolving and change is inevitable. We should be able to incorporate any societal change within the language." Do you agree?

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Situation

You are the head of the Gender Institute at ANU. Following the furore of the handbook's publication, you have been called to a meeting with the dean of the university (your teacher). Make your case regarding the handbook's content.

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Discuss quotes

“The greater part of the world's troubles are due to questions of grammar.”

― Michel de Montaigne

“The idea that you have to be protected from any kind of uncomfortable emotion is what I absolutely do not subscribe to.”

― John Cleese

“If your social consciousness seems stuck in 1975, 2021 is gonna be a rough ride.”

― John Scalzi

“Political correctness waters down the arts. It's like getting a beer, when you need a scotch.”

― Robert Black

Student Handout PDF: PC Language

Accent Reduction

1.  Who is your favourite speaker in your language/English/other language?

2. Are there any prejudices toward accents in your country? Are broad regional accents a barrier to social mobility? Which regional accents have you had difficulties in understanding?

3. Have you ever considered changing your accent? Can you mimic any other accents?

Read article here: Accent Reduction Reading

4. What is your reaction? Were you surprised by the demand for elocution lessons in the UK?

5. Isn't elocution an old-fashioned concept? As social boundaries change in the UK, isn't speaking 'posh' now irrelevant?

6. Have you heard any of the UK accents mentioned in the article? Did any of them appeal to you, or did they put you off?

7. The author of the article mentioned educationalists who favour not correcting children's errors as it might affect their confidence; where do you stand on this issue?

8. Do you have elocution tutors in your country? Is there a big demand for their services?

9. What advice would you give to a young person looking to advance their career? Would it include changing their accent?

10. We’re less likely to believe something if it’s said with a foreign accent. Do you agree?

11. Have you heard of 'foreign accent syndrome', a condition that can affect people after some sort of shock?

12. Do pop stars/ movie stars adopt accents in your country?

13. Why do so many movie villains have British accents?

14. Do animals have accents? Does birdsong vary from continent to continent?

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Situation

You are an accent coach at Tutorpages.Com. Explain to a journalist (your teacher) the benefits of 'voice enhancement'. Answer any questions they have.

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Discuss quotes

"Germans don't speak in a German accent, they just speak German."

- Daniel Day-Lewis

"To cultivate an English accent is already a departure away from what you are."

- Sean Connery

"In Paris, one is always reminded of being a foreigner. If you park your car wrong, it is not the fact that it’s on the sidewalk that matters, but the fact that you speak with an accent."

- Roman Polanski

"Learn a language, and you’ll avoid a war." 

– Arab Proverb

"Do you know what a foreign accent is? It’s a sign of bravery." 

– Amy Chua

Student Handout PDF: Accent Reduction

Photo: Shvets Production