Analyzing Language: Political Correctness and Social Impact on Society

This essay explores the concept of political correctness, defining it as the use of languages and policies that avoid disadvantaging members of a community, particularly those marginalized by race, sex, or culture. It emphasizes the importance of non-discriminatory language in workplaces and societies to foster equality and avoid belittling individuals based on their background. The essay also addresses the criticism of political correctness, exemplified by the phrase 'political correctness gone mad,' often used by individuals resistant to acknowledging their own biases. Furthermore, it discusses how language shapes our understanding of the world and can lead to prejudice based on accents, disabilities, or perceived social status. The conclusion advocates for the avoidance of discriminatory language to promote inclusivity and equality in all aspects of society.

Running head: COMMUNICATION 1
Principle of Professional Communication
Student Name
Institution Name

Running head: COMMUNICATION 2
Introduction
This task will describe what political correctness is and the main arguments about
advocating non-discriminatory language and political correctness gone mad. The task will also
talk about how choices of language affect people with disabilities and of different ethnic origins.
Question 1
Political correctness is a term that describes languages, policies and measures which are
applied to avoid disadvantages to members of a community (Hollander, 2013). In other terms, it
is avoiding that language which discriminates against a disadvantaged or marginalized group in
the society especially those defined by race, sex and culture.
Question 2
Using a non-discriminatory language means that the value judgements of the background
of a person or a group in the society are not made unless they are involved in the communication.
For example, UNE advocates the usage of non-discriminatory language among its staff and
students. According to UNE, the language is used to describe and address people without
discriminating against sex, race, ethnicity and physical characteristics. Non- discriminatory
language is essential in the workplace because it avoids problems like employees feeling
unmotivated and belittled and it also avoids discrimination in the workplace (May, 2013).
Members of seminary community use non-discriminatory language to enhance equality of men
and women and training of women to be equal to men for every Christian ministry.
Question 3

Running head: COMMUNICATION 3
Its political correctness gone mad; is a term used by people who fail to understand that
they are easily annoyed just as those who they claim are easily annoyed too. Examples include;
in school’s blackboards renamed as chalkboards so as not to offend the black skinned people;
City councils banning Christmas celebrations so as not to offend the Muslims, Jews and other
non- Christians; Manholes changing to personal access units to avoid offending women
(Hollander, 2013). The phrase ‘its political correctness gone mad’ is mostly used by people who
are tired of others who discriminate them against race or sex not being good listeners.
Question 4
Language is the medium in which people use to negotiate a sense of self in different
contexts. The languages we speak helps us to understand the way we see the world, the way we
think and the way we live. The quality and type of language used in the societies should be
considered.
Language differences used by people make judgements about the other people in terms of
wealth, education, social status, characters, gender, sex and culture which may then lead to unfair
treatment of the person. Choice of language leads to a person experiencing prejudice especially
when they speak in accents (May, 2013). These accents may be due to disabilities, lack of social
skills and less intelligent people. Languages of the oppressed and marginalized people in the
society are more targeted because their speech varieties are stigmatized.
Conclusion
People should avoid the languages which lead to discrimination of others in the society
especially the people with disabilities and those with poor social skills. Non-discriminatory

Running head: COMMUNICATION 4
language should be used in all the workplaces, schools and societies because it avoids
discrimination. Political correctness avoids disadvantage of members in the community.

Running head: COMMUNICATION 5
References
Hollander,P. (2013). "Peer review, political correctness and human nature. Academic
questions,26(2), 148-156.
May,S. (2013). Language and minority rights:Ethnicity nationalism and the politics of language.
Routledge.