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Original poster

A word on the shifting of language

32 replies

FloralBunting · 30/01/2019 10:23

I've been saying for some time that there is another shift in language coming. You see it in changing definitions of existing words, the invention entirely new pronouns, gaps being mandated between words, etc.

This manipulation has a number of functions. It's meant to destabilise people so they are unsure of the correct terminology. It signals to those who are deep in the cult that they are speaking to another member, and shores up feelings of belonging which is important to maintain the cult's power. It acts as a means to dampen dissent.

So, the narrative used to be that some people feel they were born in the wrong sexed body. It evolved into some people are born in the wrong body. From that we get the notion of 'transition' from one sex to another. This leads on to definitions of 'woman' being challenged because we start with cosmetic surgery, and then there is this curious change to focus more on inner identity so that the male body isn't the sex marker, but the 'female' feelings are. Transsexual goes because it mentions sex. Transgender comes into favour instead etc.

So the current situation is that 'trans women were never men, they have always been women' which obviously completely erases women as a distinct biological category.

Now, I predicted that the next move would be the elimination of the word 'trans' because that word drives a rather large truck through the idea that something has always been something else. There is no need to 'transition' if someone has always been a woman.

But I questioned how they would be able to jettison the word as it now has a kind of talismanic quality. I should have guessed that they will just change the definition. I was reading this Twitter thread earlier, and this tweet I've linked jumped out at me.

twitter.com/LennartVM/status/1090426165804843013?s=20

I'm putting all this here because I think language has been a key element of how the ideology has gained traction (Well, it's how any idea gains traction traction) and it's genuinely empowering when people can start to see for themselves how the manipulation works.

OP posts:
Original poster
FloralBunting · 30/01/2019 13:32

Thanks for the response.

FlyingOink, I don't disagree, but you have to be aware of the shifts, which is why I started this thread - perhaps it might be useful to have record of subtle changes and the impact that has?

And yes, Errol I do agree that trans is a terrifically useful word to the ideology now and won't be jettisoned, I was just very curious to see how it would be retained and the tweet I posted was the first thing I've seen that gives a clear indication.

OP posts:
FlyingOink · 30/01/2019 11:11

The use of words, when they are used in a way that's far removed from how the general public understand them, do create a kind of slang.
But the good thing about slang is it's wide open to ridicule.
There are no people involved, no victims claiming suicidality, no-one to tell you off for mocking them.†
Which is why the names of the three thousand genders get mocked mercilessly. I can laugh at the concept of aerogender (no not bubbly) or oneirogender because they are bullshit.
So the more they change language, so long as we point it out every time, the better, AFAIC.

† Note: I don't want to mock or bully anyone, that should be obvious but screenshot cowboys will misrepresent

OdeToDiazepam · 30/01/2019 11:08

Language is absolutely essential and we can't give any ground on this

ErrolTheDragon · 30/01/2019 11:05

I couldn't see anywhere that the guy who says 'trans isn't short for transitioning' says what he thinks it should be defined as.
So... 'transwoman' is 'UndefinedAdjective-UndefinedNoun' ?Confused

The stonewall glossary says:
'TRANS
An umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth.
Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) transgender, transsexual, gender-queer (GQ), gender-fluid, non-binary, gender-variant, crossdresser, genderless, agender, nongender, third gender, two-spirit, bi-gender, trans man, trans woman,trans masculine, trans feminine and neutrois.'
... frankly, that's not much of an improvement. But, it demonstrates that trans really doesn't mean 'transitioning' any more - it can mean whatever the heck you want it to, it seems. I think long-term, this is shooting themselves in the foot, because the majority of people simply won't ever buy the notion that transwomen are, let alone always have been, women. 'Trans' will become an increasingly devalued term.

In other lexical news, 'bigot' now seems to mean 'person who doesn't agree with me who I therefore won't tolerate' rather than 'a person who is intolerant towards those holding different opinions.'

terryleather · 30/01/2019 11:04

I think that's a good analysis Floral.

I've noticed, though, that it's trans when it suits them and just woman other times depending on which one gives them the power in any given situation.

It keeps everyone else on the back foot too.

Because of that I think trans as a term will be sticking around - we need to know who's the most oppressed and important after all...

Purplewithgreenspots · 30/01/2019 11:03

No! I am not and never will be cis anything

hometownglory · 30/01/2019 10:54

I get what you are saying. Discourse always changes over time as ideas evolve. More recently: 'bitch' (negative / misogynistic/ insulting) to 'hanging with my bitches' (camaraderie / fun).

As of this week: 'I support women and cis women' t-shirts.