[HPFGU-OTChatter] Slytherins; "loaded" language

[bloubet at incanmonkey.com]

From: "ER <ression at hotmail.com>"

"bel" wrote -

>> IMO, this is leading up to making a point that every person might
find something different to get offended by. Personally, I would be
very offended if JKR would write the Slytherins (any of them) as
smokers, or as addicted to drugs, or alcoholics. It just doesn't add
up.

>Strange, if you'd asked me I'd have said that was just _their_ sort
of thing! You're a Slytherin fan, right?

Original quote here was Meira, not me. But I have to agree with her, and I'm ALWAYS sorted into Gryffindor! <grin> Addictive behavior isn't particularly goal-oriented, IMHO, especially when it involves "altered states" like drugs and alcohol do. Slytherins are cunning and will do whatever it takes to reach their goals. Drugs and alcohol are distractions.

Re: "loaded" language. I agree that language with negative connotations should be avoided, in order to promote intelligent, reasoned discussion (which I believe is what we're all here for, and have been so glad to find <grin>). However, the problem is that there is no "Loaded Language Lexicon" to let us know what everyone else on the list might be offended by. IMHO, we need to be a little more thick-skinned about our own personal vocabulary twitches and more willing to give a person the benefit of the doubt and ask for a clarification. (Mind you, this discussion about language does seem to be more friendly than it was in the first exchange or two, so I'm thinking that my suggestion doesn't so much apply to it anymore -- just to the future. <grin> BTW, I'm 5'2" and my knees STILL hit some airline seats. Argh.)

Re: "normal" in particular. I'm not sure I can think of a way to say this that isn't cliched or fraught with groan-worthy "PC-ness". <grin> Several of my friends are gay. I've had a fairly extensive exposure to the gay community in my area. Some of my friends wish I were gay. <grin> (They swear I'd be easy to matchmake in the gay community, but I'm still holding out for a guy. What can I say? <grin>) Anyway, weak attempts at humor aside, the gays that I know do certainly have "twitch words" (as do we all) -- things like "deviant", "abnormal", etc. as John says. "Normal", however, they tend to take in context (which is difficult to do in email). "That's just not normal!" from a stranger, or from someone who has professed homophobia, would be insulting. "We don't need to label something written from a normal viewpoint," might raise eyebrows from distant friends and require a clarification, but close friends would know that I meant "societal norm" or "cultural average", and not!
 the opposite of "abnormal" (connotationally). "Girl, you just ain't normal!" on the other hand, would garner wiggling eyebrows and a "And proud of it!" <grin> Context and prior experience of both the writer and the reader are all important when determining intent. IMHO, if you're not sure of the writer's prior experience, you should ask.

Re: 61-year-olds being disappointed in my 21-60 age cutoff for romance applications. You're right, I should certainly have inserted the disclaimer: "Age is, however, relative, and any male over the age of 17 will be considered for the first screening." <VBG>

bel
No sig here either, but there are so MANY good ones to choose from... (And someone else already got my favorite Harry quote: "What, drop my wand?" <grin>)