Can we all please watch our language?Dear editor, In reading the Anglican Journal and in conversation with other Anglicans recently, I have become increasingly disheartened dis·heart·en tr.v. dis·heart·ened, dis·heart·en·ing, dis·heart·ens To shake or destroy the courage or resolution of; dispirit. See Synonyms at discourage. by the language that is being thrown around in news reports, in letters to the editor, and in the words chosen by our ecclesiastical representatives. While it is clear that metaphorical and spiritual trenches are being dug, those who we turn to for guidance and insight, and those who have some clout in this issue are painting Canada as being open and honest but other countries' churches in our communion as being underhanded and almost deceitful. To speak colloquially col·lo·qui·al adj. 1. Characteristic of or appropriate to the spoken language or to writing that seeks the effect of speech; informal. 2. Relating to conversation; conversational. , them's fighting words fighting words n. words intentionally directed toward another person which are so nasty and full of malice as to cause the hearer to suffer emotional distress or incite him/her to immediately retaliate physically (hit, stab, shoot, etc. ," not dialoguing words. This kind of talk also implies that if I agree with the Canadian stance I am open and honest, but if I disagree with Verb 1. disagree with - not be very easily digestible; "Spicy food disagrees with some people" hurt - give trouble or pain to; "This exercise will hurt your back" it or if I am still debating my position on it then I may be underhanded or deceitful. There are several examples in the paper recently that reveal such a bias that more and more I see the quiet many, as opposed to the vocal Few, stepping back and keeping quiet. They know better than to speak. To speak is to be labeled and to be "dialogued" at. At the same nine, it is being made clear to them that they should hunker down Hun´ker down v. 1. to crouch or squat; to sit on one's haunches. 2. to settle in at a location for an extended period; - also (figuratively) to maintain a position and resist yielding to some pressure, as of public opinion. 3. and watch the fight from the side and then quietly decide whether to walk or to stay. That may depend as much on whether they agree or disagree with the issue as it does with how disrespectfully and crudely they were treated while they toiled with an issue that is clearly one so many people feel so passionately about. Michelle Edgar-Labelle Long Sault Long Sault was a rapid in the St. Lawrence River west of Cornwall. The Long Sault created a navigation barrier along the river for much of its history, necessitating the construction of the St. , Ont. |
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