| Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. |
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| RACIST LANGUAGE |
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| consists mainly of words taboo in Standard English (and often in Common and Vulgar English as well) because they are thought to be discriminatory or offensive. Avoid using language that consensus says is racist. Some terms—nigger, chink, darkie, and the like—have clearly been unacceptable for many years. But there is also rapid change in the acceptability of terms once thought proper even by the members of the particular racial group itself (see the entry for AFRICAN(-)AMERICAN for an example), and insensitive use can cost you a reader or listener or bring harsh social judgments down on you. Therefore, be attentive to change in fashions and taboos involving names for ethnic groups and races. Remember too that any race can be in the minority somewhere; every race can be offended by racial slurs. Hence everyone must be sensitive to this very serious matter of usage. It is good manners (and therefore good usage) to call people only by the names they wish to be called. See also ETHNIC SLURS AND TERMS OF ETHNIC OPPROBRIUM. | 1 |
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| | | The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Copyright © 1993 Columbia University Press. |
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