Social cohesion : pandemic 2021
Nicholas Reece, a principal fellow at the Melbourne School of Government, the University of Melbourne said that “the degree of social cohesion has been critical to a concerted and successful response to the pandemic.”
“Victoria’s response to the second wave also provides a good example of how a democracy can respond to a major outbreak – with tough measures that were supported by a strong majority of people as being necessary based on science and subject to robust public debate about the trade-offs. “ (Jan 7 2021)
Susan Carland states “what people 50 years ago would have sneered at as being politically correct is now totally normal and commonplace”. She refers to the reference to a black person with the “N” word, or a “male worker slapping a female colleague on the backside”. Such language and actions towards marginalized groups are now unacceptable as society becomes more socially inclusive and harmonious.
In the same way, Kate Burridge points out, the term “chairperson” or the reference to “African Americans” is not just euphemistic or politically correct. Such terms apply accurate labels of their historical roots in the case of African Americans and distinguishes them from Japanese Americans. Kate Burridge: “Such terms reflect social change and involve a more accurate and precise use of language”.
- Return to: Essays and contemporary examples 2021 for language variation
- References to linguists and relevant commentators (which ones?)