Dead-End Discussions (was the/Ukraine)

[Eliot Borenstein]

The argument about (the) Ukraine seems to pop up on SEELANGS at regular intervals, like a swarm of linguistic locusts.  

I agree entirely with Michele Berdy. It doesn't matter if you agree with the logic behind the rejection of a given term by members of an ethnic (or other identity) group.  It's not your call.  Can't we just assume that, in the absence of entirely shared history and experience, no one can really determine what should or should not be found offensive by a group to which one does not belong?  Just call people what they want to be called, and call their countries what they want their countries to be called.  

It's not censorship, it's not even (horrors!) political correctness.  It's just linguistic etiquette combined with minimal empathy.

Here's hoping we can put this issue to rest for another five years,

Eliot Borenstein

Eliot Borenstein
Collegiate Professor
Professor, Russian & Slavic Studies
Director of Graduate Study for R&SS
Provostial Fellow
New York University           
19 University Place, Room 210
New York, NY 10003
(212) 998-8676 (office)
212-995-4163 (fax)
 
Editor, All the Russias
The Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia
jordanrussiacenter.org
 
Blog:
jordanrussiacenter.org/all-the-russias/

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