EU bans use of “Miss” and “Mrs.”

Of course, critics are calling this latest EU directive “political correctness gone mad,” and “the politically correct clap-trap currently in vogue.” They are not calling it what it is really is: the logical and inevitable working out of the liberal belief in equality and non-discrimination—which can only be effectively opposed by those who identify it for what it really is. (See my discussions of this below.) Here is the article in the Mail:

EU bans use of ‘Miss’ and ‘Mrs’ (and sportsmen and statesmen) because it claims they are sexist

Using ‘Miss’ and ‘Mrs’ has been banned by leaders of the European Union because they are not considered politically correct.

Brussels bureaucrats have decided the words are sexist and issued new guidelines in its bid to create ‘gender-neutral’ language.

The booklet warns European politicians they must avoid referring to a woman’s marital status.

This also means Madame and Mademoiselle, Frau and Fraulein and Senora and Senorita are banned.

Instead of using the standard titles, it is asking MEPs to address women by their names.

And the rules have not stopped there—they also ban MEPs saying sportsmen and statesmen, advising athletes and political leaders should be used instead.

Man-made is also taboo—it should be artificial or synthetic, firemen is disallowed and air hostesses should be called flight attendants.

Headmasters and headmistresses must be heads or head teachers, laymen becomes layperson, and manageress or mayoress should be manager or mayor.

Police officers must be used instead of policeman and policewoman unless the officer’s sex is relevant.

The only problem words that do not fit into the guidelines are waiter and waitress, which means MEPs are at least spared one worry when ordering a coffee.

They have reacted with incredulity to the booklet, which has been sent out by the Secretary General of the European Parliament.

Scottish Tory MEP Struan Stevenson described the guidelines as ‘political correctness gone mad’.

He said: ‘This is frankly ludicrous. We’ve seen the EU institutions try to ban the bagpipes and dictate the shape of bananas, but now they seem determined to tell us which words we are entitled to use in our own language.

‘Gender-neutrality is really the last straw. The Thought Police are now on the rampage in the European Parliament.

‘We will soon be told that the use of the words “man” or “woman” has been banned in case it causes offence to those who consider ‘gender neutrality’ an essential part of life.’

West Midlands Conservative MEP Philip Bradbourn is calling on the Secretary General to reveal who authorised the publication of the booklet and how much it has cost.

He described it as ‘a waste of taxpayers’ money’ and ‘an erosion of the English language as we know it’.

‘I will have no part of it. I will continue to use my own language and expressions, which I have used all my life, and will not be instructed by this institution or anyone else in these matters,’ he said.

‘I shall also expect the many translators who sit in the European parliament to translate accurately the language I use. I find this publication offensive in the extreme.

‘The Parliament, by the publication of this document, is not only bringing itself as an institution into more disrepute than it already suffers, but it is also showing that it has succumbed to the politically correct clap-trap currently in vogue.’

[End of Mail article.]

See my articles on the conservative folly of calling the tyranny of political correctness “mad” or “silly” instead of seeing it for what it is, an intrinsic aspect of modern liberalism:

Is there a difference between “silly” and “non-silly” PC?

Why Conservatives Call PC Tyranny “Silly”

George Fraser, the ruin of Britain, and the possibility of true resistance to liberalism [How criticizing political correctness is inadequate. We must understand what liberalism is, what liberals really believe in and seek, how they seek the destruction of tradition, then by standing for tradition we stand against liberalism.]

Roger Kimball’s pointless criticisms of the cultural left [According to Kimball, the ongoing destruction of our culture is the result of “bending over backwards to mollify multicultural sensitivities,” it’s a “linguistic absurdity,” and it makes him “sick.” He has neither an explanation of why it’s happening nor an intellectual or practical response to it.]

- end of initial entry -

March 19

Hannon writes:

I noticed their list is by no means exhaustive. They missed the classic “manhole cover” conversion to “personhole cover.” But perhaps they have a different word for those things in Europe.

LA replies:

Yes, I doubt that Britain has the term “manhole cover.”

Posted by Lawrence Auster at March 18, 2009 10:14 AM | Send