Topic started by chinnamarudhu on Sun Jan 2 12:34:36 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Can we discuss the use of language (spoken Tamil by and large) as a weapon of social oppression? It is common knowledge that the underprivileged were forced / by force of habit born out of centuries of oppresion, to address those in the so called higher social strata as 'Saami, Durai, Naachiyaa ...' This is just one example.

Responses:

• From: marudhu (@ 131.241.26.63) on: Sun Jan 2 12:37:28 EST 2000
  
  Typo regretted. Pl read 'oppression'.
  
  
• From: kattabommu (@ ccedu192.nets.uri.edu) on: Thu Jan 6 21:07:15 EST 2000
  
  I agree, to certain extent language plays the role of an instrument of oppression. Socio political
  contexts, however, play the major part in shaping the relationships between classes and
  individuals. One can also argue that any institutionalized values, organizations, and structures
  are oppressive. Again, the prevalent socio-political contexts and culture determine the impact of
  these factors on social relationships. In capitliastic societies like USA, despite the economic
  distance between classes and races, the power distance between individuals, currently, is very
  low. Thus, the words, like 'Boss' does not matter much. It could be because of the democrratric
  tradition. In India, despite the so called democracy, what we have inherited is nepotistic,
  hierrarchical structure that would destroy dissent in any form. Power distance is very high
  between classes. Current political structure has not liberated the people yet. Even If the so
  called marxists, especially the cpi, cpi(m) variety come to power they would behave the same
  way. It is difficult for the Indian socio-political elites to get rid of their caste inflicted mind,
  despite the various ideas of idealogical training. One way to get rid of this problem would be to create institutions that orgniaze on the basis of ethnicity, of course, that is what parties like DMK is trying to do. But they have not been totally dedicated for this purpose.
  
  Kattabommu
  
  
• From: berlinda (@ d209-107-117-27.abhsia.telus.net) on: Fri Oct 17 20:19:18
  
  I hate all swears.
  
  
• From: :) (@ d150-40-7.home.cgocable.net) on: Sat Oct 18 09:12:20 EDT 2003
  
  "to address those in the so called higher social strata as 'Saami, Durai, Naachiyaa ..."
  
  What does this also tell us of the mentality of the higher social strata that they get cheap thrills by being called by all these titles. It is also equally shameful that no respect is shown in the reverse, i.e., vaa po from oneside and vanga ponga from the other side. Sick society! may be the first thing we should remove is the honorific suffixes and call eveyrone vaa poo or call eveyrone vanga ponga. The srilankan Tamils are better in this regard because they call everyone young or old higher or lower social strata vanga ponga.
  
  
• From: R.Srinivasan. (U.S.A) (@ ip68-0-198-105.ri.ri.cox.net) on: Tue Oct 21 16:04:56 EDT 2003
  
  Dear Mr.CHINNAMARUDHU,
  
  You the INITIATOR OF THIS THREAD say ...
  
  "...the use of language (spoken Tamil by and large) as a weapon of social oppression? It is common knowledge that the underprivileged were forced / by force of habit born out of centuries of oppresion, to address those in the so called higher social strata as 'Saami, Durai, Naachiyaa ...' This is just one example."
  
  OPPRESSION by anybody on others under any grounds,is UNPARDONABLE and to be totally eschewed.
  
  But ..How do you link the Language-facility available to any user as a "WEAPON FOR OPPRESSION" ?.
  
  If somebody uses the Sickle (Farm-cutting tool- ÀýÉÕÅ¡û) provided to him as a MEANS FOR HIS ADVANCEMENT by way of using it as a tool for reaping the Harvest, can you blame either the SICKLE or the maker of the tool or his father who provided him with a POSITIVE INTENTION for his son's living?
  
  Dear Mr. Chinna Marudhu, I am very sorry to point out your WRONG NOTION and UNHEALTHY NEGATIVE-THINKING coupled with SICK-MINDEDNESS.
  
  The words SAMI, SWAMI, AANDAE, YESAMAAN, NAACHIAA, DURAI etc. were not shaped by our Thamizhththaay for such a sort of misuse or exploitation by the Masters encouraging SLAVERY. These are the words of HIGH RESPECTS AND REGARD OR REVERENCE similar to any other Language all over the world,for use wherever one wants to address so, MAINLY FOR GOD as well as the highly revered PERSONS, whom the concerned person considers next or equal to God,... by way of high REGARD and Gratitude IN HIS OPINION and as his personal principle.
  
  You might have noticed people in general, amongst all the communities and status-rungs,..one person addresses as SAMI.. or SWAMI...etc. mutually to mean as SIR or AYYA, where it cannot be said wrong or Oppression.
  
  If anybody addresses another person, really meaning so, true to his heart, there is nothing wrong in these words...But if somebody uses the words as a FLATTERY... or ...LURING ...or ... HYPOCRICY..it denotes the UNDUE CHEAP CHARACTER or SLAVERY ATTITUDE of the Addressing person.
  
  Dr.AMBEDKAR,the Great Social-Reformer cum Unprallel Sculptor of Indian Constitution, strongly condemns such a SELF-DEMEANING ATTITUDE by any person including the servants of any community including the DOWNTRODDEN.
  
  On the contrary, if some Zamindar or Pannaiyaar or some such Masters insist to be addressed so, it shows their DOMINATING MENTALITY as well as OPPRESSION towards his Assistants or Servants, just because they had to make a living on the obligation of their paying Master.
  
  In brief,..OPPRESSION COMES BY THE MENTALITY OF THE DEMANDERS,... if done so....and not by the FACILITY OF WORDS OF EXPRESSION IN ANY LANGUAGE, only PROVIDED WITH A HEALTHY INTENTION..
  
  NOT THE FAULT OF THE WORDS...BUT...ATTITUDE!!
  
  
• From: R.Srinivasan. (U.S.A) (@ ip68-0-198-105.ri.ri.cox.net) on: Tue Oct 21 21:05:39 EDT 2003
  
  TYPE-MISTAKE:
  
  Please read the above-mentioned paragraph ...
  
  "If somebody uses...Son's living"... as below.
  
  If a person misuses the SICKLE (Farm-cutting tool- ÀýÉÕÅ¡û) for murdering anybody, although
  provided to him as a MEANS FOR HIS ADVANCEMENT by way of using it as a tool for reaping the Harvest, can you blame either the SICKLE or the maker of the tool or his father who provided him with a POSITIVE INTENTION for his son's living?"
  
  
• From: jameson (@ mail.citizen.co.za) on: Wed Dec 10 04:38:05
  
  I want to hear more about language as an instrument
  
  

Want to post a response?