craggy wrote:I'd share the words I find more accurate to describe them, but I know I'd offend more people.
craggy wrote:I'd share the words I find more accurate to describe them, but I know I'd offend more people.
Mykltron wrote:Counterpunch wrote:Neurie wrote:Erm actually its probably more the rest of the world where English is the spoken language(IE ex-common wealth) as they all have the same dictionary used in England as a basic tool to describe the menaing of a word.
Isn't it the result of a British TV show that the word took on this meaning?
This is a localization of a word's use, nothing more.Neurie wrote:I dont think so Counterpunch, but if it was when it would have aired it would probably have been braodcast to all the English speaking counties in the Common Wealth at that time, so would have have been very wide spread trough out English speaking countries.
I'm not following this. Is what the result of a British TV show that the word took on this meaning? Are you asking if 'spastic' has been associated with a handicap? Cos that word and meaning dates back to 1896.
The term spastic came to be viewed as a general insult (perversely, in part due to the Blue Peter programmes following the life story of Joey Deacon, during the International Year of Disabled Persons, in an attempt to show disability in a positive light) and the society changed to its current name on 26 March 1994.[1][2]
Mykltron wrote:kirbenvost wrote:
Where the Wikipedia article is unclear is when the word evolved from the neutral 'Negro' to the N-word as we know it. It evolved from a simple word used to refer to a group of people, to a derogatory term. In essence, the process is the same as the current topic at hand, but the big difference is that as it evolved it became a new word, one which is completely derogatory, whereas this transformer name is still used in some areas without any derogatory meaning.
You seem to be saying that the N word was invented as an insult. Do I understand you correctly?
Wiki says:
'Nigger is a noun ... The word originated as a term used in a neutral context to refer to black people, as a variation of the Spanish/Portuguese noun negro, a descendant of the Latin adjective niger,'
and to me this suggests that niger and negro evolved into nigger, which later became used as an insult.
However, etymonline says:
'From the earliest usage it was "the term that carries with it all the obloquy and contempt and rejection which whites have inflicted on blacks" [cited in Gowers, 1965]'
but goes on to say:
'But as black inferiority was at one time a near universal assumption in English-speaking lands, the word in some cases could be used without deliberate insult.'
Counterpunch wrote:
Is the mold that is in question the best PCC figure to date? Absolutely.
MightyMagnus78 wrote:Counterpunch wrote:MightyMagnus78 wrote:My brother is disabled and for the majority of his education that word was a constant source of torment.
Although I do appreciate there are colloquial differences, a little bit of sensitivity goes a long way. In my opinion, Hasbro could have easily avoided this whole drama by simply adopting a little diligence and care.
That's the thing, it's not a sensitivity issue.
If American's are using the word "Retard" or "Crip" or "Slowmo", then they're being purposely offensive.
Actually, Americans or anyone not in the UK.
"Spastic" or "Spaz" has a legitimate and frequently used meaning in most of the rest of the world that is so far from being offensive to the group of people in question that the rest of the non-UK world is just like, "Really?".
Now, I think the figure should be altered in name for the UK release, that makes sense.
Agreed, however, in essence we now live in a global community. Surely it is prudent for a multi-national company such as Hasbro, to ensure every precaution is taken to avoid these types of misunderstandings, thus reducing the risk of potentially causing any unintentional offense.
Counterpunch wrote:Comparing the n-word to "spaz" is a poor comparison. One was created with the intent to be demeaning the other was created with a non-offensive intent.
A more appropriate comparison would be with the word "fag".
Also, I have no intent to clarify the nature in which we discuss these words. Clearly this is a matter of simple discourse and not an opportunity to use ugly words in glib fashion.
Hasbro wrote:Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention and for the opportunity to respond. The TRANSFORMERS brand intended no offense by use of the name "SPASTIC" for one of its products which has not and will not be available via traditional retail channels in Europe, including the the UK. Thank you once again for notifying us about your concern. As a marketer of children’s products, input from parents, families and fans regarding their experiences with our brands is extremely important to us. Our goal is to have all families who enjoy our brands feel good about their purchases and experiences.
Wikipedia.org wrote:In American slang, the term "spaz" is largely inoffensive, and is generally understood as a casual word for clumsiness, sometimes associated with over excitement, excessive energy, or hyperactivity. Its usage has been documented as far back as the mid 1950s
This medical term "spastic" became used to describe cerebral palsy. The Spastics Society, a UK charity for people with cerebral palsy, was founded in 1951.
However, the word began to be used as an insult and became a term of abuse used to imply stupidity or physical ineptness; one who is uncoordinated or incompetent, or a fool.[3] The mental connotation derived from a common misconception that those with any physical disability resulting in spasticity would necessarily also have a mental or developmental disability. It was often colloquially abbreviated to shorter forms such as "spaz".
Its derogatory use grew considerably in the 1980s.
MINDVVIPE wrote:But all that aside, whoever called that in is a real tool
NOBODY LOVES WHEELIE wrote:Oh for the love of god using the word Spaz or spastic is just a term for clumsy...its not like the product is named Rapist and the Stunticons.
Seibertron wrote:MINDVVIPE wrote:But all that aside, whoever called that in is a real tool
What do you mean by "whoever called that in"?
NOBODY LOVES WHEELIE wrote:Oh for the love of god using the word Spaz or spastic is just a term for clumsy...its not like the product is named Rapist and the Stunticons.
MINDVVIPE wrote:Seibertron wrote:MINDVVIPE wrote:But all that aside, whoever called that in is a real tool
What do you mean by "whoever called that in"?
Whoever brought Hasbro's attention to the name being insulting.
Seibertron wrote:MINDVVIPE wrote:Seibertron wrote:MINDVVIPE wrote:But all that aside, whoever called that in is a real tool
What do you mean by "whoever called that in"?
Whoever brought Hasbro's attention to the name being insulting.
I contacted Hasbro to see if they had an official statement regarding this because I felt it was newsworthy due to how strongly some fans in this topic felt, especially after it made it's way to a British newspaper/news website.
MINDVVIPE wrote:its already been made aware to hasbro by the tools writing the newspaper articles.
Seibertron wrote:MINDVVIPE wrote:its already been made aware to hasbro by the tools writing the newspaper articles.
Probably not. People love to make news instead of going to the source to find out their thoughts on the matter. I decided to contact Hasbro first before we covered the article that was published last week. I felt that was more responsible than just reporting on DailyRecord.co.uk's article.
When people say 'you're such a spaz' they're talking about someone with cerebral palsy," says Nancy Salandra from Philadelphia ADAPT. "People use it all the time but they are wrong. It's part of the language now, like retard, but it doesn't make it right."
"I would think that anybody in the disability community would see it as offensive," says Babs Johnson of National ADAPT. "It would be looked upon as someone having a fit or seizure or something like that. Body movements that you're not able to control."
Seibertron wrote:Counterpunch wrote:Comparing the n-word to "spaz" is a poor comparison. One was created with the intent to be demeaning the other was created with a non-offensive intent.
A more appropriate comparison would be with the word "fag".
Also, I have no intent to clarify the nature in which we discuss these words. Clearly this is a matter of simple discourse and not an opportunity to use ugly words in glib fashion.
"Fag" is a perfect example of this situation with the word "spastic" -- but in reverse. Are cigarettes still referred to as "fags" in the UK or is use of "fag" dwindling as a common word for cigarettes?
Jeep! wrote:Why do I imagine Dead Metal sounding exactly like Arnie?
Intah-wib-buls?
Blurrz wrote:10/10
Leave it to Dead Metal to have the word 'Pronz' in his signature.
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