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On Thursday, 2020-12-03 at 21:16 -0000, Jim Henderson wrote:
On Thu, 03 Dec 2020 21:08:29 +0000, Jim Henderson wrote:
It isn't about not saying "this is idiotic" if you really don't understand that it is offensive (for whatever reason).
It's about understanding the impact we have on each other.
I should also have added that it's also about understanding your audience. Professional writers do this all the time when creating content - you consider your audience and (a) what's likely to be understood, and (b) what's likely to be problematic for them.
So now I know, for example, if I were writing documentation that was targeted at people in Spain, it would be completely appropriate to say "don't do this, because it's idiotic to do so" whereas for a more global audience, I might be inclined to use different language in order to appeal to a broader reader base.
Maybe not.
Notice that I applied the term "idiotic" to an object, whereas you are doing so to an action by people. It is different. Subtle perhaps. But yes, you can find in written texts "don't do this stupid thing".
Look, an historic case. I think you know about it.
Nissan named, long ago, a car "pajero" (1), a term than in Spanish is offensive (masturbator). Obviously every one was commenting that the name (choice?) was idiotic. It is under freedom of speech or opinion to say that name is idiotic.
The incident is not alone: Mazda Laputa (the whore). Of course it gave rise to many written comments.
(1) <https://www.motorpasion.com/industria/nombres-de-coches-poco-afortunados-for... https://www.elmundo.es/motor/2016/02/23/56cc3a78268e3e87438b45e9.html
I forgot to ask, which was the point of mentioning those two cases. How can I criticise those two obvious naming errors (on the Spain market) without being offensive? I can not say «the name "Mazda Laputa" is idiotic» because it will be offensive. That is limiting liberty of expression and liberty to criticise. There is no way I can think of to express discontent with the name choice without risking offending the other party. I think it is better to say that «the name "Mazda Laputa" is idiotic» and then the other side can justify the name choice or choose another. - -- Cheers, Carlos E. R. (from openSUSE 15.1 x86_64 at Telcontar) -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- iHoEARECADoWIQQZEb51mJKK1KpcU/W1MxgcbY1H1QUCX8qzTxwccm9iaW4ubGlz dGFzQHRlbGVmb25pY2EubmV0AAoJELUzGBxtjUfVp5MAnivNxEkyAlpjpnNBkEI6 jfbTLtsMAJ4x5hOMolzIw93lekE0Ynno84ENsg== =5lg5 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----