Language + Taboo

Part 1: Language and taboo

SWBAT: Demonstrate an awareness of how language and meaning are shaped by culture and context (power/impact of language; status given to forms of language)

Focus: Language which offends (politically incorrect)à PC-language going too far

Brainstorm: What kind of language is offensive? To whom? How can language be as minimally offensive as possible?

Debate: When is it acceptable/inacceptable to use taboo language? (Statement: Under no circumstance is it appropriate to use language)

Study: Analyze/Compare children’s stories for political correctness à FIND COMPARABLE TEXTS (Little House on the Prairie vs. __)

Produce: Glossary of political correct terms (various examples on Internet); Re-write a text to make it politically correct (e.g. fairy tale, etc.); Politically correct Tweet fight (between two opposing figures—e.g. political candidates, historical figures)

Texts:

Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by James Garner

Audio Clip—George Carlin on Euphemisms

“That’s So Gay” PSAs (Youtube.com)

“Political Language” essay by George Orwell

Various news publications

- Taboo Language à Article: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article5496859.ece

- Banning words (e.g. retard)à Article, videos, q&a:

Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/04/AR2010020402602.html

- Lexically Correct Language à Column the Gisborne Herald: http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/opinion/column/?id=21214