3/1 (Tue) Soft language(Host : Tashi Shen)

[tashi]

Actually “Soft language” is invented by George Carlin in his talk shows which includes soften expressions and euphemism language. It’s interesting for me because in some part like George Carlin I also like to express things in a straight way, tell the ugly truth.

However, as we all know, sometimes in some occasions we need to make up things for politeness purpose or avoid embarassment. Let’s see how George Carlin express this ideas for this in a good sense of humor:

Soft language:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guuTn0RpVtU

Soft language in war:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPMoYkWI5pA

For discussion, let me try to provide some reference:

For session I.

1. In his talk, he said American are not good at face the reality so they invented so many soften expressions. How about Taiwan? Are we so different so we invented more include Chinese and Taiwanese soft expressions? Also when you have some expamples, do you know how they are invented?

2. In the two videos, do you share the same opinion with George Carlin for some expressions? What are they and why? Vise the versa.

3. In your group, do you share the same opinion or you have different view of aspect toward some expressions in the video?

4. Try to search some other soften expressions in English or Chinese and share in the meeting that

For English ones, do some discuss listed in above questions
For Chinese ones(well that’s fine if you have Japanese ones), discuss if it’s also useful for foreigners and how do they express this. That would expose if we soften the same things or not.


For Session II.


1. When it comes to the effect in communication, do you have any experience that some colleague’s expression was too euphemism to understand or expressed too straight so you just can feel emotion but not his opinion?

2. From above, how did you deal that? I mean for the formmer one, you would need to make it specifically and for the latter one, would you use the same way back? Share your examples to your group.

3. In my opinion, soften expressions or sharp /direct expressions, may not just happen on language itself but on some policies to hide something like our education. Nowadays get into college become much more easier in Taiwan but more and more people also think college diploma is becoming worthless. So it seems to me, we didn't invented another word to hide our discrimination toward blue collar workers but changed the definition of white collar workers that make graduated college students become white collar low salary workers. How is your opinion?


********************************************************************************************************************************************
Agenda:
6:45 ~ 7:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal ($80 minimum comsumption) / Getting Newcomer’s Information
7:00 ~ 7:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
7:10 ~ 7:50pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
7:50 ~ 8:10pm Summarization (20 mins)
8:10 ~ 8:15pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 10 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
8:15 ~ 8:55pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
8:55 ~ 9:20pm Summarization (20 mins)
9:20 ~ 6:30pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements ********************************************************************************************************************************************
聚會日期：列於該貼文主題內
聚會時間：請準時 6:45 pm 到 ~ 約 9:30 pm 左右結束
星期六聚會地點：丹堤濟南店
地址、電話：台北市濟南路三段25號 地圖 (02) 2740-2350
捷運站：板南線 忠孝新生站 3 號出口
走法：出忠孝新生站 3 號出口後，沿著巷子(忠孝東路三段10巷)走約 2 分鐘，到了濟南路口，左轉走約 2 分鐘即可看到。
最低消費： 80 元


注意事項：
1. 文章是否需要列印請自行斟酌，但與會者請務必自行列印 Questions for discussion。
2. 與會者請先閱讀過文章，並仔細想過所有的問題，謝謝合作！


給新朋友的話：
1. 請事先準備1分鐘的英語自我介紹；會議結束前可能會請你發表1~2分鐘的感想。
2. 請事先閱讀文章以及主持人所提的討論問題，並事先寫下自己所欲發表意見的英文。
3. 全程以英語進行，參加者應具備中等英語會話能力，對任一討論問題，能夠以5到10句英文表達個人見解。
4. 在正式加入之前，可以先來觀摩三次，觀摩者亦須參與討論。正式加入需繳交終身會費 NT$1,000。

[Laura]

Yeah, it's a good topic.

Will meeting time take place in advance? or TYPO?

Thank you for clarify.

[tashi]

Yeah, it's a good topic.

Will meeting time take place in advance? or TYPO?

Thank you for clarify.

Thanks Laura it's my typo

[Luis Ko]

"Why Do We Use Euphemisms?" maybe a good question to ask haa~

[tashi]

@Luis I agree.
Let me grab them from the video here:

Toilet paper → Bathroom tissue

snikkers ---> running shoes

false teeth -> dental appliance

medicine → medication

Information → Directory assistance

The dump -> landfill

car crash → automobile accident

partly cloudy --->partly sunny

Motel ---> Moto lodge

house trailer → mobo home

used car ---> previously owned transportation

Room service ---> guest room dining

constipation ----> occasional irregularity

hospital ---> health maintenance organization, wellness center
doctor ----> health care delivery professional

Slum(貧民窟) ----> Economically disadvantaged occupied sustained inner cities (What the hell….. )

broke --->negative cash flow position

Kill peoply for CIA → neutralize people, depopulate the area

Government’s lies ---> engage in disinformation

the factor of measuring nuclear mediation -----> Sunshine units

iral murder ----> commando

arab commando ---> terrirists

Contras killer → freedom fighters


physically challenged 行動不便者
handicapped ----> differently abled
learning disorder

ugly people ---> severe appearance deficits

partially sighted, visual impaired

最低程度優等生 ： minimally exceptional

old people ----> senior citizens

die ---> pass away

Shell shock ---> battle fatigue ----> operational exhaustion ---> PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

[Sabrina Sung]

How can I give our VP many many "讚" at here ?

physically challenged 行動不便者
handicapped ----> differently abled

cripple ---->physically challenged
handicapped ---->handicapable

[tashi]

Iris
Jessie Lin
Sophie
Leo
Douglas
Steve
Amy
Morris
Carey
Shirley
James
Christine
Yvonne
Alex
Sabrina
Kooper
Luis
Joanne
Wenhan