Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 17, 1993 TAG: 9302170330
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CARROLL SMITH
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A ROSE IS A ROSE, AND A ZOO IS A ZOO
THE ARTICLE by Bettijane Levine in the Feb. 4 Extra section, "New words for sensitive times," reminded me of something that I have been trying to ignore. That is, the militant silliness that seems to be taking over the country by various groups trying to remake the language to fit their special world view.I learned two new words (?) here - "anamalcatraz" and "zulag" - which were obviously thought up by animal rightsers who feel that all animals should be free. On the other hand, I hear on the radio that some people think that "zoo" is a nasty word and want it changed to animal "park" or "habitat," with suitable changes in the facilities. I think that "zoo" is a perfectly respectable English word. I would not be opposed to better, more attractive or more comfortable zoos, but why muck up the language in the process?
There is a more serious concern (since it involves matters of law) in the attempt to change illegal aliens into undocumented workers. The people who do this are, no doubt, trying to use a softer term to refer to persons for whom they have sympathy. In fact, the words "alien" and "illegal" do more accurately describe their situation, even though they are certainly without entry permits and may or may not be working. If I were negatively disposed toward them, I could more accurately refer to them as criminal aliens. Any dictionary will define them as aliens and, since they have violated United States law, also as criminals.
There is also a far-out feminist fringe that seeks to rewrite all words that have letter sequences such as "man," "his," "him," etc. Thus, they insist on such abominations as "womyn," "wofem" or "herstory." The female human/humyn being mentioned in Levine's article, who went to court to change her name to cooperperson, is in the same league as the Canadien (or Canadienne, if in Quebec) who petitioned to have her master of arts degree changed to a mistress of arts. Although we all know about the past inferior status of women as reflected in the language, and although it is appropriate to use neutral terms (mail carrier, police officer) where the language permits, it seems foolish to construct and insist upon such strained neologism as mentioned above.
It seems that many people have taken a cue from the Reagan years when word-magic seemed to be institutionalized. If you don't like the way things are, change the words. Remember The Gipper was firmly opposed to taxes, but he was not above a little "revenue enhancement," and the missile that was designed to kill hundreds of people was called "the peacekeeper." Perhaps the meanest and most miserly example was the attempt to define the ketchup and pickle on a schoolchild's hamburger as the two required vegetables. Imagine trying to deprive a child of his french fries and coleslaw as a budget-reducing tactic.
Maybe I am reaching a little too far for this cause, but semantic trickery seems to be much in vogue these days. It would be better to use the standard language to express ideas and arguments than to massacre the mother tongue (is this sexist?) so that no one can understand anyone else.
To end, I must make one exculpatory statement: I do strongly endorse the efforts of all groups in this country who have been subjected in the past to discrimination and oppression to seek freedom, equality and justice. I would not like to have my language destroyed in the process.