6.293 Words that are their own opposites

[The Linguist List]

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LINGUIST List:  Vol-6-293. Thu 23 Feb 1995. ISSN: 1068-4875. Lines: 48
 
Subject: 6.293 Words that are their own opposites
 
Moderators: Anthony Rodrigues Aristar: Texas A&M U. <aristar at tam2000.tamu.edu>
            Helen Dry: Eastern Michigan U. <hdry at emunix.emich.edu>
 
Asst. Editors: Ron Reck <rreck at emunix.emich.edu>
               Ann Dizdar <dizdar at tam2000.tamu.edu>
               Ljuba Veselinova <lveselin at emunix.emich.edu>
 
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1)
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 1995 18:50:28 +1000
From: iadlang at peg.apc.org
Subject: Words that are their own op
 
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1)
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 1995 18:50:28 +1000
From: iadlang at peg.apc.org
Subject: Words that are their own op
 
 
  REGARDING           Words that are their own opposites
I've thought of an example- the word 'shame' in Aboriginal English
and Standard Australian English. For example, in the Paul Kelly
(Standard Australian English) song, "Special Treatment" he describes
an Aboriginal boy who has had his family's history  hidden from him
(pushed off land, put in chains, children stolen etc etc) as "I was
raised in shame". This is a negative description - he was made to
feel bad about himself. In Alice Springs Aboriginal English, being
brought up with shame would be the 'right way' to be brought up.
Having 'no shame' indicates the wrong behaviour in the circumstances,
that's when you should feel bad about yourself! This 'shift' in
meaning is due to the substrate languages having a word that people
translate into 'shame' in English, when that's not exactly what is
meant, eg 'apure', Eastern Arrernte, and 'kurnta' in Warlpiri. This
has been discussed by Jean Harkins in the Australian Journal of
Linguistics, and in her book "Into Another World".
So... what does it mean to be shameless?
 
Sue Morrish, Teacher Linguist, Institute for Aboriginal Development,
Alice Springs Northern Territory, Australia 0870.
 
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