[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Editing literature to conform to current custom

[Amanda Geist]

Mary wrote, woozily:

> :::::bangs head on computer desk:::::  That was *not* phrased properly,
was
> it?  What I meant was that the N-word would have been thought of as
> acceptable--perhaps "normal" would be better--by Kipling's intended
> audience, which I assume is white Americans of his time.  A thousand
> apologies for not making myself clear.

Actually, Kipling was British. I believe he either grew up or served in
India for rather a long while, as most of his writing  is set there or
colored strongly thereby. His intended audience would have been the literate
residents of the British Empire of his day, whatever color they were.
Presumably largely white, but the Empire was a pretty damn big'n'diverse
place back then.

> I would be interested (in a strictly objective manner) in knowing if other
> languages have direct translations for the N-word, and if so, if modern
> editions of Kipling have also changed these words to less or non-offensive
> ones.  Thinking of my parent's mother tongue (Dutch), I can think of a
> translation for Negro, but not for Nigger.  Of course there might be one,
> and my parents never used the word so I don't know it.  For that matter,
was
> the N-word transation used in every language in the first place, or was a
> less offensive term used from the start?  Just curious.

This comment doesn't particularly answer the above question, I'm not trying
to. I have just been sitting here bemused at how many people are using the
euphemism "N-word." I will lift a comment I made offlist to someone:

"Here I must say that I categorically don't use that euphemism. "N-word."
How
have you let a set of sounds have such power over you, that you won't even
type it out? To quote Dumbledore, "Always use the proper name for things.
Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself." It is not a pleasant
word, it is offensive, it represents reprehensible things--but for that very
reason I will *not* give it such power as to fear to say or type it."

Even if you are avoiding the usage in order to avoid giving offense,
"N-word" gives so much power and strength to a set of sounds! I can't think
of another single word that is treated with such deference. Not even
Carlin's seven (seven?) words that must not be said on the air; no other
derogatory racial or sexist slur. Just this one. The occasion seldom rises
when I would ever use the word (and when it has arisen, it has been a usage
discussion similar to this, not *at* anyone, great heavens), but should any
occasion arise I will use the word itself. Not "N-word." We sound like the
frightened students of Hogwarts, discussing You-Know-Who.

--Amanda
-------------------------
one nation, *under God*