I think that there is another way to look at language. Words change meaning over time, as a living language.
Gay used to refer to being happy.
Guy is also a rope for tying down tents.
Many have come to accept or view the use of guy/dude as gender neutral. This to me seems an acceptable way for language to evolve.
I think people underestimate the subconscious nature of one's vernacular. We all grow up in different cultures and learned behaviors. Someone expressing themselves in a means which has no ill intent (and never viewed that way before) is going to have a hard time trying to watch every phrase to ensure they scrub any new offensive words.
I believe that eliminating and replacing words to change a language is a great way to alienate those who may otherwise be supportive. But here is the lucky part, we'll grow old and die and allow a new generation to struggle with this every changing world where so much hate is flung around wherever it can be justified.
I think that there is another way to look at language. Words change meaning over time, as a living language.
Gay used to refer to being happy.
Guy is also a rope for tying down tents.
Many have come to accept or view the use of guy/dude as gender neutral. This to me seems an acceptable way for language to evolve.
I think people underestimate the subconscious nature of one's vernacular. We all grow up in different cultures and learned behaviors. Someone expressing themselves in a means which has no ill intent (and never viewed that way before) is going to have a hard time trying to watch every phrase to ensure they scrub any new offensive words.
I believe that eliminating and replacing words to change a language is a great way to alienate those who may otherwise be supportive. But here is the lucky part, we'll grow old and die and allow a new generation to struggle with this every changing world where so much hate is flung around wherever it can be justified.
Nice used to mean 'stupid'
Awful used to mean 'worthy of respect'