Hi Chris,
because a language has been used by racists does not make it tainted with
racism as such, surely. A language might become associated with racist
tendencies, even a shorthand sign for certain behaviours and attitudes
through a particular period of time. But wearing a form of what might seen
as trousers doesn't necessarily make one a bloke? Smugly expecting a person
whose first language is another to communicate through one's own language is
what we are faced with In Crusoe. I tried to take this on in 'skin upon
sKin'. That's the colonialist move that is worth attention. Having lived for
many years with a Welsh-speaker I understand some of the histories and
mechanisms of that from both sides. But I still can't get from admonitions
about 'proper' usage that might be conceived of as classist or snobbish or
just plain obsequious to accusations of racism.
The imperialism which you raised (but interestingly as a mint or a measure)
yesterday cannot be attributed to the language itself either but to the
mid-sets of some of its users. English is anybodys and that is one of its
strengths. It absorbs anything thrown at it. English is both the carnival
and the law which is restored by giving licence to the carnival. In fact the
chickens coming home to roast through a multiplicity of Englishes the
majority of which many of the readers of this list (certainly myself
included) would have trouble hearing at least at first are a form of
payback, an instant karma, which English strengthens itself through.
I'm interested in this stuff because 'guilt' by association is an issue. In
your rather chronologically buckled example of the German language what is
your suggestion? What about French, Spanish, Belgian, Dutch, Chinese,
Japanese . . . which language is untarnished? Guilt by association is often
glibly applied. It's happening right now with Muslim worldwide. It's an
extremely pernicious and dangerous tactic.
Taking on all of the guilts to which you feel you might be entitled or that
you read as an inheritance or the burden of histories might be interpreted
as an oppression of others than yourself - a form of zeitgesit of
sanctimoniousness. I'm resisting that urge.
love and love
cris
|