CONCLUSION

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 499.

Politically correct changes are occurring in English (and in many other languages) as a reflection of the ideas of tolerance and inclusion. In order to become competent users of English, we need to explore this phenomenon to become proficient users of tolerant and inclusive terms in particular situations.

According to the information which was found in the Internet, people's attitudes to the whole movement are different. Thus, very few people feel totally positive about PC language reform and think it could change society. Nearly half of them think that it has no positive effect at all and is a waste of time. Some correspondents in this group pointed out that PC terms can be offensive or separating. Besides, the whole movement looks like a shallow ‘feel good' attempt to avoid dealing with real problems in society. A large proportion of people being asked felt the movement is somewhat positive but has its problems and limitations. On the one hand, changing our labels is a good first step toward changing society. However many of the PC terms are too long and awkward. Moreover, some correspondents think that the movement has gone too far and too fast in its efforts. Finally, they point out that changing the language does not eliminate racism, sexism, etc.

As we can conclude, there are both advantages and disadvantages in PC language movement and there is the need for a more balanced approach to language reform. ‘Language can be used as a WEAPON, by the powerful against the powerless, by the powerless in fighting back. However, I believe language's true and most noble purpose is to serve as a BRIDGE , as a TOOL for people to communicate with and understand each other. So far as language reform enhances sensitivity and understanding, I endorse it, but when the reform itself becomes repressive it's time to step back and reassess. I think ‘political correctness' in language is at this juncture and may recognize it. ….Language reform is one of the many fronts of social reform and hopefully, excesses will not derail good intentions.'(taken from the Internet)

All in all, PC changes to language have very positive and humanitarian motivations. In practice, however, PC language might seem like a stifling language tyranny that limits freedom of expression. For example, ‘metabolically challenged' for ‘dead' or ‘esthetically challenged' instead of ‘ugly'. These examples show the ridiculous extremes to which PC can sometimes take language. Such cases are, of course, merely humorous parodies of PC language and are not to be taken seriously.

As it was said above, in our country the problem of PC language is not so urgent (as there were no feminist movement and such racism in it). Nevertheless, there are problems we have in common now and using PC language is one of the ways to solve them.