LANGUAGE IS A SLIPPERY, SLIPPERY
SLOPE
Implications for technical
communication
ONCE WE’RE DONE EDITING, WE LOSE CONTROL OF OUR
WORD’S INTENDED MEANINGS
Misused Words
Example: Cree Indians were a monotonous
culture until French and British settlers
arrived.
Revision: Cree Indians were a homogenous
culture.
ONCE WE’RE DONE EDITING, WE LOSE CONTROL OF OUR
WORD’S INTENDED MEANINGS
Meaningless Words
Example: The casing is made of a special
material that protects it from extreme heat.
Revision: The polycarbonate casing protects
the phone from extreme heat.
ONCE WE’RE DONE EDITING, WE LOSE CONTROL OF OUR
WORD’S INTENDED MEANINGS
Words with unwanted connotations or
meanings.
Example: Spray the ants in their private
places.
Revision: Spray the ants in their hiding
places.
ONCE WE’RE DONE EDITING, WE LOSE CONTROL OF OUR
WORD’S INTENDED MEANINGS
Words with unwanted connotations or
meanings based on purpose
That historical cabin set miles from the reach
of developers has been allowed to stand
undisturbed for centuries.
That rickety shack in the middle of nowhere
hasn't been cared for in ages.
ONCE WE’RE DONE EDITING, WE LOSE CONTROL OF OUR
WORD’S INTENDED MEANINGS
Jargon or Technical Terms
Example: The dialectical interface between
project members creates an algorithm for
successful communication.
Revision: The dialogue between project
members creates a model for successful
communication.
WE DON’T ALWAYS GET THE REACTION WE
WANT
WE MAKE LIGHT OF THE SERIOUS
TONE DEAFNESS
TONE DEAFNESS
OUR HUMOR/SARCASM/SATIRE DOESN’T
COME ACROSS
Justine Sacco , PR representative for IAC (parent company of over 150 internet
brands) was fired while on the plane. Found out upon landing.
GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT
Examples of Spanish words that vary by region:
“Coger” means “to hold” in Spain
 It means “have sex” in Argentina
“Pendejo” is an insult referring to a lower body part region in Mexico.
 In Argentina it’s a “small boy.”
“Mona” is a “pretty girl” in Spain
 It’s a “conceited girl” in Venezuela
 It’s a “blonde girl” in Columbia
GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT
Examples of English words that vary by region (low stakes)
Shopping cart (Midwest & East) vs. shopping buggy (South)
Long johns (Midwest & South) vs. thermals (East & West)
Soda vs. pop
Bag vs. sack
Sucker vs. lollipop
Billfold (South) vs. wallet
Iced tea vs. sweet tea (South)
WHY IS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS S0
SCARY?
CONCESSION: PC CAN GO A LITTLE TOO FAR: PORTLAND
PRINCIPAL DECLARES PB&JS ARE RACIST
THIS IS NOT POLITICAL CORRECTNESS;
THIS IS INSANITY AND BAD TEACHING
MY DEFINITION FOR POLITICAL
CORRECTNESS (AND MOST SANE PEOPLE’S)
The recognition that words and labels are powerful
The sensitivity to let others tell you how they want to be
defined (especially when it’s a group that you
personally have little experience with what their lives
are like)
Realizing that just because something doesn’t directly
bother or affect you, it might have a good reason to
bother/effect someone else and the human decency to
respect/accomodate that.
Often, when you think or express that someone shouldn’t be bothered by
something (or should stop being so sensitive) it’s highly likely you belong to
social groupings (of race, class, gender, etc.) who have historically had the
power to define the world to your preferences without anyone pointing out
the problematic nature of some of those definitions.
That is changing. Slowly. And that leads to some social unrest in the process.
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS TREATING PEOPLE
WITH RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE
Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently
“He” to refer to all people
 Not everybody is a he
 English lacks gender neutral singular pronouns
 Just because sexism is built into our language, it does not mean we need to
perpetuate it
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN THE
WORKPLACE
Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently
“He” to refer to all people
 English lacks a gender neutral singular pronouns
 If the user needs assistance with set-up, he can call the help line.
(makes all users men)
 If the user needs assistance, they can call the help line.
(grammatically incorrect but becoming increasingly accepted)
 If users need assistance, they can call the help line. (Make
subject plural)
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN THE
WORKPLACE
Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently
“He” to refer to all people
Master/Slave Computer Hierarchy
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN THE
WORKPLACE
Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently
“He” to refer to all people
Master/Slave Computer Hierarchy
African-American
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN THE
WORKPLACE
Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently
“He” to refer to all people
Master/Slave Computer Hierarchy
African-American
Oriental (from the Latin “oriens” referring to sun rising in the east)
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN THE
WORKPLACE
Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently
“He” to refer to all people
Master/Slave Computer Hierarchy
African-American
Oriental (from the Latin “oriens” referring to sun rising in the east)
Asking “Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend or wife/husband?”
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN THE
WORKPLACE
Higher Stakes words or terms that affect people differently
“He” to refer to all people
Master/Slave Computer Hierarchy
African-American
Oriental (from the Latin “oriens” referring to sun rising in the east)
Asking “Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend or wife/husband?”
Merry Christmas
IDIOMS
DON’T HITCHHIKE IN GREECE
VICTORY OR MASSIVE INSULT?
I AM HAVING SEX WITH YOUR WIFE (IN
ITALY)
VISUALITY
Colors Across Different Cultures
http://www.atlantiswebportfolios.com/world/colors.html
NEUTRALITY IN LANGUAGE IS VIRTUALLY
IMPOSSIBLE
The way something is said will always play a role in how the
communication is received
 Specific word choices
 Organization of material
 Details included versus details left out
 Visual design of page
 Email versus printed memo
 So much more