Uber Terminology is misleading?
Many criticise Uber and its “ride-sharing” terminology. Public commentators suggest that the language camouflages or obfuscates (confuse/conceal) its main purpose. It is conveniently (expediently) misleading so as to avoid taxes and costs associated with a taxi service. From a semantic perspective, the compound-adjective “ride sharing” conceals that fact that it is actually a taxi service. Customers are not “sharing” a ride; they are “paying for a driver to take them to destination.” The language enables them to avoid the same legal responsibilities as taxi drivers, who are severely economically disadvantaged through the competition.
Words to refer to
disabilities and mental health issues
During the election campaign, Bill Shorten was criticised for his “flippant” reference to “happy pills” to refer to the Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s remark. From a semantic perspective, the use of the term “happy pills” rather than “prescription medication” is deemed to be offensive to around 1 in 8 Australians who have a mental health issue and who need to take medication. Commentators suggest that this dysphemistic /disparaging type of language underestimates / threatens people’s face needs because it reinforces a sense of inadequacy; it reinforces their vulnerability and their lack of confidence.
According to Don Watson (Death Sentence), “words are bullets. They are also good for smothering, strangling and poisoning, and for hiding murderous intentions from your victims.”
- See comments on Double Speak and dysphemisms
- See George Orwell’s comments re Double Speak
- Return to English Language Resources