TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Well, I recently purchased a new home, and they no longer call the main
bedroom the "master" bedroom or "master" suite. It's now called the "owner's
suite." At least that's how it is in California. My wife and I found that
somewhat interesting when we first saw the layout of the house.
Peter Lucas
Decade Software Company
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tracy Boyington" <tracy_boyington -at- okvotech -dot- org>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2000 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: Political Correctness (Was Re: Master/Slave)
> > Plainly and simplely, writers have to use the standard
> > language of a field, no matter how "offensive" it may
> > be outside of that field.
>
> I agree. However, I thought the post you appear to be disagreeing with
actually
> said the same thing -- as TWs, it is our responsibility to examine the
> terminology we use and determine how our readers will be affected by it.
This
> does not mean changing it on our own because we consider it "offensive" or
> refusing to follow everyone else's change because we consider it "PC." If
an
> industry has stopped using a particular term, we should also stop using
it. The
> fact that "master/slave" is still in use doesn't mean it's a bad thing to
check
> every once in a while.
>
> Tracy
