Kylie writes:
>Language is the tool we use in which to think and frame our >world. We
>cannot conceptualise something unless we have the language >to do so.
I think you're putting the horse before the cart, here, and most linguists
would agree. What comes first -- the experience of fire or the word we
create for it? I can experience and conceptualize many things for which I
lack words. Culture ultimately shapes language, not the reverse (in my
humble opinion) -- you also did not address my point concerning languages
where the word for female or woman does not derive from its male counterpart,
and where the issue of words to identify man/woman is really a non sequiter.
>Eskimo's
>can visualise 200 different shades of white because they >have named 200
>different shades. ie they have the language.
Language doesn't enable them to see 200 shades of white -- they had the
experience first, and then found the tools with which to express that
experience in common terms everyone could understand. I don't, for example,
create the word "automobile" and then invent one. I have an experience of an
automobile and then try to figure out what to call it so that there will be
some universal understanding of what I'm referring to. Language really
arises out of a need to describe shared experiences.
>Language is very powerful. I suggest that you read '1984' by >george orwell
Yes, language is very powerful. I read Orwell many years ago -- you might
want to take a look at Wittgenstein. The trouble with using Orwell in your
argument, is that by changing the language, Big Brother did not truly alter
the fundamental beliefs, desires and pursuits of free thought among his
oppressed subjects. They still disobeyed. It's fear, not language, that
keeps people towing the facsist line. I don't mean to mitigate your concerns
over language as a tool of oppression -- it certainly is. However, I don't
think that by changing the word "woman" to "womyn" (or another version), we
are really addressing the root of the problem, which is a socio-cultural one.
Someone earlier posted the etymology of the word "woman" and raised some
very interesting issues about the actual origin of this English word, which
essentially has nothing to do with maleness. Could whoever posted it (if
you're still reading this), please post again? Thanks.
Ciao,
--Katharine English
>From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thu Mar 16 14:49:41 MST 1995
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 1995 16:49:54 -0500
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Bioregional Studies Conference
Given the recent discussions here on activism, I thought the following post
would be of interest:
--Katharine English
-------------------------------------------------
It is the objective of IBS to train participants to become
effective catalysts in the regeneration of the planet. The
"Bioregional" perspective means that our focus is on the
design and evolution of healthy, interdependent and self-reliant
communities.
Today we can not just, "Think Globally and Act Locally" We
also need to, "Think Long Term and Act Now". Therefore, IBS was
founded to demonstrate the recent, ecologically oriented, scientific,
social and technological achievements that are relevant
to achieving the goal of an ecological society.
The Institute for Bioregional Studies 1995 Summer Programs
catalogue is now available on-line or by requesting a hard copy.
Our programs will be hosted at the spectacular Ovens Natural Park
in Riverport, Nova Scotia. Seminars will feature:
~Permaculture Design Course~
~Straw Bale Construction~
~Ecological Planning~
Guest Lecturers include:
Kirkpatrick Sale, Schumacher Society;
Michael Pilarski, Friends of the Trees;
Judith Plant, New Catalyst Education Society;
Maureen Cureton, Rocky Mountain. Institute;
Ray Cote, Director, School of Environmental Planning,Dal. U;
William Rees, Dean, School of Community Planning, UBC;
Carla Conrod, Regional Atlantic Trading Note Association
and others
For more information send $2.00 to:
IBS, 449 University Avenue, Suite 126,
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 8K3
Phone: (902) 892-9578
or
for an electronic copy e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Phil Ferraro, Director
Institute for Bioregional Studies
449 University Avenue Suite 126 "Developing Local Solutions to
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Global Problems"
Canada C1A 8K3
(902) 892-9578
