minstrel: Re: minstrel-digest V1 #632

[Heather Senkler]

> That is really an official decision aimed at official publications.
> Instead of mundane name use Legal Name.  Instead of mundane item use
> Modern Item.  Authenticity Maven is another no no, as well as referring
> to `period', instead say `our period of study'... etc.   I don't know
> about the offical BoD decision, but that is the publication tendencies
> now in the SCA.
> Astridhr

	I can see how some people may see this as being overly picky, but 
I can see where the BOD is going with this. Language is a very powerful
thing.
	I am sure that few people consider "freaking the mundanes" to be 
much more than heading to a restaurant after dance practice or popping 
into a Safeway on the way to an event. However, the confrontational turn 
of phrase can suggest to others to perhaps do something,... foolish.

	In my own Kingdom our Chatelaine is pushing for a better choice of 
vocabulary within the office. By saying "fully armoured combatant" instead
of "heavy" we are giving a more accurate picture of what we are doing.
"Light" means nothing to a newcomer, but "javlineer" or "slingman" give a
better picture. "Newbie" is a term of affection but may be miscontrued by
someone who is very new to the Society.
	In any job, hobby, or field of study there is jargon - language
that is specific and unique to that group. Jargon can convey consice and
useful information to someone within that group, but to anyone else it may
seem confusing, inaccurate, or even derrogative.
	In another hobby group I might have said "Oh shoot! The sweeper
is out of place, he's about to lose his check!" That will probably mean
nothing to many people. It could be misconstrued or misinterpreted by
someone who does not now what the context is. What I mean is that the last
player back before the goalkeeper in a soccer game is not staying in the
right place and the opponent he is supposed to cover is in a better place
to get around him and score a goal.

	As much as I may have problems with the use of regular modern
English from time to time, we in the SCA must all be aware of the language
we use around people who are not part of the SCA. When you are in garb, or
even just talking about the SCA you are on display, on camera, however you
want to put it. At that moment you are the only spokesman for this club
and you cannot be flippant or purposely misrepresent this group. You would
be doing all of us a disfavour and may spread more prejudice against us.

	Okay, okay, so I meay sound picky, but please remember the power
of language, and of a poor first impression.


		Ciao,
				Ekatarina


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