austraLasia #2309


Of educational concern? Saint, sin and devil are out!

LONDON: 10th December 2008 -- While the Salesians have been busy developing an adequate glossary (cf. below) of terms not only in use now but harking back to Don Bosco's usage as well, in an effort to preserve our linguistic heritage, it seems, sadly, that the editors involved with Oxford University Press, who produce the Junior Oxford Dictionary, have taken a different tack.  The words 'saint', 'sin' and 'devil' are out, but so is 'monarch' interestingly enough!  One wonders what they are up to.
    Our source is the Daily Telegraph, 8th December. 'Disciple' is out too, by the way, along with (to) 'christen'. Oh my! The significant issue here is that this dictionary is a children's dictionary and millions use it - not just in the UK. This writer has sometimes provided it to young Salesians from Vietnam or elsewhere who are coming to terms with the English language.  All other things being equal, the OJD is a good product! But I'll think twice from now on.
    Two reasons are given for the deletions - the main one being that "Britain is a modern, multicultural, multi-faith community", and that "we are limited by how big the dictionary can be - little hands must be able to handle it". But in response, Professor Alan Smithers of Buckingham University, who might be echoing the words of Pope Benedict XVI here, says "We have a certain Christian narrative which has given meaning to us over the last two thousand years. To say it is all relative and replaceable is questionable".
    And how does a lexicologist 'relativise' words in a language for dictionary purposes? They consult a corpus, in this case one known as the Children's Corpus with some 50 million words. They then look at word frequency and make decisions based on that. So if people in so-called secular societies are not going to church, not 'talking religion', especially in front of their children, then it's obvious that 'bishop' will give way to 'broadband' and 'monk' to 'mp3'.
    Our response?  I would suggest two.  We will hardly be able to influence Messrs Gupta and co. (head of the Children's Dictionaries section of OUP), but we can influence the kids and their families.  In many ways, this was what the GC26 discussion on evangelisation was about. The 'urgency' of evangelisation, that is.  Another response, oblique maybe, but also important, is to be able to demonstrate that we Salesians also care about our own linguistic heritage.  Have you, as reader, considered contributing to the Glossary indicated below?  You can do so freely - you are only asked to have the courtesy of telling me in a private email what you are adjusting, adding, deleting. Or just the private email on its own if you are not familiar with using a wiki to do your linguistic business (or if for some reason the link doesn't work for you)!
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Title: australasia 2309
Subject and key words: SDB General, lexicography
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2309