`Offensive' words are history, says British college
By MARTIN BENTHAM
LONDON
Tuesday 13 June 2000
A British college has banned the use of more than 40 "offensive" words and
phrases including "normal couple" and "slaving over a hot stove" under equal
opportunities rules that staff and students must follow.
Stockport College, in Greater Manchester, has also outlawed "taking the
mickey" (anti-Irish), "history" (sexist), "lady" and "gentleman" (have class
implications).
Among the groups that college officials said could be offended are women,
homosexuals and ethnic minorities.
Students are also told not to risk upsetting the mentally ill through the use
of words such as "mad", "manic" and "crazy".
Meanwhile, the expression "slaving over a hot stove" is ruled to be
inappropriate because it "minimises the horror and oppression of the slave
trade".
To ensure that its rules on language are followed, the college, which has
15,000 students aged from 16, says that it "will make it a condition of
service and admission that employees and students adhere to this policy".
But Nick Seaton, the chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, condemned
the guidelines.
"They should be concentrating on teaching their students, instead of trying
to ban words, which any ordinary person would regard as an everyday part of
the English language," he said.
The college guidelines, titled Equal Opportunities - Policy into Practice,
concedes that concern over language can go "too far".
But it gives a warning that it is easy to create offence.
The use of "normal couple" is questioned, with the guidelines asking: "How do
you define normal?"And the words "queer" and "cripple" are banned, except
where homosexuals and disabled people have "reclaimed" them.
Richard Tuson, a college spokesman, insisted that the use of appropriate
language was important.
"We vigorously pursue an equal opportunities policy and we try to be as
politically correct as possible, without being tedious," he said.
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