Liberate Your Language

Michael · Jan 5, 2003

I found this in The Sexual Politcs of Meat and it brings up some good points... <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Language is a powerful tool. The words we choose do more than name or describe things; they assign status and value. Be careful, then, how you choose words that refer to non-human animals, for you may be using expressions that maintain prejudices against them. 
Referring to a non-human animal as "it" strips him or here of dignity and perpetuates the view that other animals are objects, inferior things or property. 
Referring to people who share their homes and lives with non-human animals as "owners" or "masters" connotes slavery, and we should be uncomfortable with that connotation. Friends, companions or protectors is preferable. 
Avoid calling other animals "living things." They are living beings. 
Refer to non-domestic animals as free or free-roaming, not "wild" or "wildlife." 
When referring to animal suffering and death caused by human action, use painfully explicit words that reveal the true facts. "Euthanize," "put to sleep," "sacrifice" and "destroy" are favorites of animal researchers (and some animal control people) while "cull," "harvest," "manage" and "thin the herd" are favorites of hunters, trappers, and their ilk. These words mean kill, so say kill. 
Guilty people try to cover up their horrifying cruelties against, and backward exploitation of, non-human animals with deceptive euphemisms like the ones above. Say it like it is, and correct others when they don't, so that people will realize the true nature and full extent of the suffering we inflict on other living beings. 
Watch out, too, for expressions that convey contempt for animals. "Son-of-a-*****," "bird-brain," and "hare-brain" are insults at the expense of animals. Think of alternatives to calling a person a "snake," "turkey," "ass," "weasel," "chicken," "dog" or the like. 
Liberate your language, for it's an important step to liberating animals! 
- By Noreen Mola and The Blacker Family 
Animal's Agenda 6, no. 8, October 1986, p. 18</div>
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Tame · Jan 5, 2003

Well, son-of-a-*****! I'll be an monkey's uncle. I had no idea I was making an ass out of myself by calling someone a bird brain. 
Why just the other day, I told some little weasel in my office I oughta euthanize it to thin the herd. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/pimp.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":tame:">

SilverC · Jan 5, 2003

I like that! I try my best not to refer to animals as its, although I slip up every now and then. I mean that's what I was taught in grade school grammer, so it's pretty deeply engrained. 
I hate the term pet owner. I know a lot of people don't see a difference, but I really do think that it affect the way people view animals. 
My uncle in law knows I am really big into animal rights, and he is an avid hunter. He always makes sure to say "harvesting" in front of me, like that is supposed to make me feel better about it. 
I'm not too sure what they mean about euthanizing and putting to sleep. Are they referring just to animal researchers using these terms, or everyone in general? I say euthanizing or putting to sleep, but I use this when refering to suffering animals. I also use it when refering to human euthanasia. I don't think it is that bad when talking about putting a sick animal or person out of their misery.

spud · Jan 5, 2003

Language is a powerful tool. The words we choose do more than name or describe things; they assign status and value 
oh **** I am so non pc <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

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spud · Jan 5, 2003

"Refer to non-domestic animals as free or free-roaming, not "wild" or "wildlife." 
no way. 
But I do refer to meat dishes as corpse and milk as boob juice [sometimes]

GhostUser · Jan 6, 2003

Interesting!! 
I did actually refer to milk as udder mucus just the other day (seriously)! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

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GhostUser · Jan 6, 2003

Since becoming vegetarian, the word meat has been grating me the wrong way. I think of meat as like the meat of an apple, mango, orange, etc. I call 'meat' of animals 'flesh' because that's what it is. Why make it pretty. It really bugged my b/f at first..but oh well, if he doesn't like to realise what he's eating it's not my problem.

WonderRandy · Jan 6, 2003

I used to call it 'corpse' now I use the term 'flesh foods' because it's a little less confrontational.

GhostUser · Jan 6, 2003

'flesh foods' ... I like that....I think I'll be weaving that one into my vocabulary <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

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Michael · Jan 6, 2003

I like that term too. It's hard to break old habits. And you kind of have to work to find something makes people think but doesn't just totally turn them off - flesh foods vs. corpse is a good example.

spud · Jan 6, 2003

well I say cow and pig when I'm in polite company, I wouldn't want to put anyone off their meal. Eg "Pete's cremating a cow, would you like a portion?"

GhostUser · Jan 24, 2003

Living in the city with road rage, I was called a ***** so much (for not driving perfectly I guess) I actually forgot it was a word for an animal. 
That's an excellent article and we can examine all of what we say for all kinds of degrading sayings. Getting off topic, think of all the ways many speak of the elderly, etc. Animals really need to become one of our nation's priorities. The discriminatory practices have to be brought out in the open so it can be changed.

GhostUser · Jan 24, 2003

This is a great topic. I was even thinking of starting a thread on it myself. 
Why not "take the gloves off" when talking with people about animal rights? What do we have to lose? 
I admit it's easier said than done since most vegans are peaceful to begin with and takes practice.

Skylark · Jan 24, 2003

Last night at dinner my family had venison burgers. I was eating my own food at the table with them since when we can we eat together. I had no intentions of reminding them of gruesome nature of their food, but one of my sisters told me she didn't want me to tell the 6 year olds that it was deer meat, not cow meat. I wasn't planning to tell them, but I just asked her, "Why don't you want them to know?" My mom said something about if they thought about what they were eating, then they probably wouldn't be eating it. I knew better than to push the issue far, so I just asked "So you can only eat what you intentionally don't think about?" Hopefully this'll help them to start thinking.

GhostUser · Jan 25, 2003

There are so many words for meat that cover up what it really is. Euphemisms, I guess. Like a steak is cow's butt, flesh, arteries, etc. Hamburger is cow's guts, intestines, grizzle and more. Hotdogs are various animals intestines, ground up fat and other parts. The fancy names keep people uncounscious. Sometimes the actual parts, though, don't even matter to some who eat them. I've known people who openly admit to eating hog testes (in different words), etc. I think I'm going to be sick now...

GhostUser · Jan 25, 2003

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally posted by MsRuthieB 'flesh foods' ... I like that....I think I'll be weaving that one into my vocabulary <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

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I live in Flanders and although I can't speak very much Dutch, I know the word for veal which is "kalfvlees," very similar to the English "calf flesh" which is of course exactly what it is. (Vlees is the word for meat.) 
It's more to the point to start using words like that. Another animal rights advocate introduced me to the phrase "body parts," which can be used referring to what some people pick up at the supermarket. "Cadavers or cadaver parts" are other possibilities. 
I read a post somewhere that a man actually turned veg*n when a veg*n he was having dinner with pointed out that he was eating a cadaver.

RedStarJedi · Jan 25, 2003

I always hated the argument that people had that it's "my" aminal and o can do what I want with it. Including mistreate it. There is a certian someone I got in an argument about over this who still demands an apology from me because I wasn't sorry the SPCA took his dog away because he was abusing it. The hell he's ever getting one

RedStarJedi · Jan 25, 2003

Skylark,Mine think about it just by the fact that I am there at the table ith them and not eating the foods trhat have animal products in them.

RedStarJedi · Jan 25, 2003

They certianly eat less meat when I am around though i don't try and make them or even mention what they are eating most of the time.

Skylark · Jan 26, 2003

RSJ, 
They have tended to eat less meat since I've been a vegetarian, but it still comes up sometimes. My six year old sisters sometimes still think I am incapable of eating meat, not realizing that it's a choice I made.

Liberate Your Language

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