Thanks for this post. Linguistic pejoration is an important topic for me, having a son with a disability. Every Christmas, I write a post asking churches and musical groups to change a line in “Mary, Did You Know?” because of pejoration. I request that groups consider changing the line “The dumb will speak” to “The mute will speak” (same number of consonants and doesn’t change the meaning of the line or pacing of the song at all).
My twelve-year-old son can’t speak, you see. I cannot in good conscience wrap my arm around his shoulder at Christmastime and cry out, “The dumb will speak.” (I’m happy to cry out, and anticipate, that the mute will speak, however!) As of yet, no one in a position of power has changed that line for a church service or concert as a result of my pleas. However, these pleas have changed a few hearts and minds on an interpersonal level. I’ve convinced friends and family members to turn off the radio station when the song is played. Personally, I quietly walk out of the room anytime the song is played.
Many people don’t understand my anguish. “‘Dumb’ is a term that was used to describe muteness,” they say, blinking rapidly. I then try to explain the process of pejoration: “I know, but today the word ‘dumb’ has taken on a negative meaning. As such, we should choose a different word.” Some people get it. Others don’t. I write the same plea every Christmas either way.
These etymologies are delightful. Edward Chancellor looks at the origins of our words related to money and debt here: https://www.millersbookreview.com/p/edward-chancellor-price-of-time. Livestock gets top billing, but interestingly one Hebrew word for interest is “bite.”
Love that cattle are related to capital... immediately reminds me of Alexander McCall Smith’s No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series . (Also, I could wander in etymologies and definitions till the cows come home... so thank you for this!)
Thanks for this post. Linguistic pejoration is an important topic for me, having a son with a disability. Every Christmas, I write a post asking churches and musical groups to change a line in “Mary, Did You Know?” because of pejoration. I request that groups consider changing the line “The dumb will speak” to “The mute will speak” (same number of consonants and doesn’t change the meaning of the line or pacing of the song at all).
My twelve-year-old son can’t speak, you see. I cannot in good conscience wrap my arm around his shoulder at Christmastime and cry out, “The dumb will speak.” (I’m happy to cry out, and anticipate, that the mute will speak, however!) As of yet, no one in a position of power has changed that line for a church service or concert as a result of my pleas. However, these pleas have changed a few hearts and minds on an interpersonal level. I’ve convinced friends and family members to turn off the radio station when the song is played. Personally, I quietly walk out of the room anytime the song is played.
Many people don’t understand my anguish. “‘Dumb’ is a term that was used to describe muteness,” they say, blinking rapidly. I then try to explain the process of pejoration: “I know, but today the word ‘dumb’ has taken on a negative meaning. As such, we should choose a different word.” Some people get it. Others don’t. I write the same plea every Christmas either way.
Yes, I immediately understand your anguish, because I have a granddaughter with a severe lifetime disability. Words matter.
Ooook, that explains “a peculiar people” as mentioned in 1 Peter. It all makes sense now.
These etymologies are delightful. Edward Chancellor looks at the origins of our words related to money and debt here: https://www.millersbookreview.com/p/edward-chancellor-price-of-time. Livestock gets top billing, but interestingly one Hebrew word for interest is “bite.”
Love that cattle are related to capital... immediately reminds me of Alexander McCall Smith’s No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series . (Also, I could wander in etymologies and definitions till the cows come home... so thank you for this!)