standardizing some word defitions for the DHP

[C hristian]

what do you all think about having some in-house defitions of words for the purposes of facilitating and furthering discussion on controversial subjects (eg racism, race, etc) on the DHP messageboard? Communication breakdown on the larger picture seems to happen a lot on message boards without some general agreement like this, in my experience

so , what do you think ?

good idea?

stupid?.

[mhd]

if we standardize the definition of words we may stop thinking about what they mean

[jimmymack-2000]

Originally posted by mhd:
if we standardize the definition of words we may stop thinking about what they mean Or perhaps we might have a constructive dialogue...

[C hristian]

or better yet,

come up with the definitions first, and then use/invent/construct words according to the definition.

and if a distinction must be made, we could use those little TM marks that I've seen FK throw around.

[Monny JcIntosh]

After we've settled what the words mean there will be no more arguments!


graemlins/rofl.gif

[C hristian]

dead even so far..

[jsd540]

I suggest we hire a team of Lawyers to research this new "standard" vocabulary. We'll then send out a disclaimer that should be retro-actively (sp?)signed by existing members and any new members going forward.

Until then I suggest we only speak in smiley's...

http://deephousepage.com/smilies/twocents.gif
http://deephousepage.com/smilies/walksmil.gif

[kev]

Who's going to define these words? Are we going to have another poll? I can honestly see another big, 30 page argument erupting over how we define these words.

[Bold Soul]

Originally posted by C hristian:
or better yet,

come up with the definitions first, and then use/invent/construct words according to the definition.

and if a distinction must be made, we could use those little TM marks that I've seen FK throw around. I see this as being a great beginning. Language should evolve, but all evolution must proceed from a stable point.

[eileen]

i'm not sure how to vote on this. i think i'm in favor of definitions to the extent that it might help prevent people from getting offended and allow people to be heard for what they really mean. it definitely sucks when you're zooming around here reading about all kinds of things and then stumble onto something offensive.

but i'm also against it if it means the white people are going to be doing the defining. the whole defining of things relating to racism has to come from the people of color, in my opinion.

but i guess after all the tons of posts i've made in the last few days, you all probably have already figured this is what i would say! ;)

[Supine]

I don't want to sound like a joker, but doesn't a dictionary contain accepted definitions of words like racism etc?

Now words that have diffent meanings in english(uk) and english (USA) would be useful imho as would something that contained regional / new / street / slang words.

Supine

[jimmymack-2000]

Good luck in your future endeavours...what a long strange trip it's been!

[Brut by Faberge]

Originally posted by eileen:

but i guess after all the tons of posts i've made in the last few days, you all probably have already figured this is what i would say! ;) yeah really... what are you still doing a Junior Member? ;)

[Raven Fox]

Start reference research HERE (http://www.rsdb.org).

http://deephousepage.com/smilies/argue2.gif

[Supine]

Raven Fox, I'm glad to say most of those words arn't in regular use in the UK. Some are used, but none are acceptable to the mainstream.

Buleh was used against me occassionally while living in Indonesia last year (I'm white, Albino!!). I looked them in the eye and said "Saya Mengerti" (I understand) and they always looked away/embarased.

All under one house,

Supine

[C hristian]

mhd- how so? elaborate, please.... (and so what do you propose we do to move a discussion forward, without getting stuck in this road trap every time? Granted , something new can be learned from it in every cycle, but what about speaking to the big picture, that always gets lost?)

Eileen - agreed. the person wouldn't be me and i don't mean to suggest that it would.

i would however suggest that someone like Wild I be given that honor, if she is willing? but we should let people vote for a few days first, anyway...

[ October 01, 2003, 12:08 AM: Message edited by: C hristian ]