Dehumanizing people should not be allowed here.

[finesse]

Words have been "added" to the English language according to various dictionaries. "Ain't" isn't word, but there it is in most dictionaries. Same with illegal as a noun. It traditionally wasn't considered a word, so it's hard to really consider it to be one.

English is always adding new words. It's a bastardized language anyway created by Normans trying to pick up Saxon barmaids. However, there is a process to add them.


"New words are added to dictionaries by lexicographers, who are experts in language who constantly monitor and research the use of words in various sources. Words are considered for inclusion if they demonstrate widespread usage, have meaningful and consistent application, and are used across diverse media. "

IOW, ain't got used until it really was a word. It wouldn't surprise me if illegals did. It's not a kind world.

 

[superrific]

Why does wmheel1287 hate free speech?

You jumped into a political discussion after a month and a half away just to add that? What's the point?

 

[4heels4evr]

ban this ignore that.....what a bunch of emotional fragility

"fuck You Ass Hole Mother Fucker Dick Sucking Little Bitch" are you sensitive to any of that, if not sorry
SARCASM

 

[finesse]

You jumped into a political discussion after a month and a half away just to add that? What's the point?

He wanted to announce his presence with authority.

 

[superrific]

IOW, ain't got used until it really was a word. It wouldn't surprise me if illegals did. It's not a kind world.

To be clear: our objection to the noun illegal isn't that it's grammatically incorrect. The whole noun/verb business started because of a failed analogy to "felon."

The objection is the use of that noun form to describe people in a derogatory and dehumanizing way.

 

[finesse]

I kind of get that but, from my POV, it is either more accurately a mischaracterization or something I don't too much care about.

 

[ZenMode]

"fuck You Ass Hole Mother Fucker Dick Sucking Little Bitch" are you sensitive to any of that, if not sorry
SARCASM

 

[4heels4evr]

Sorry, I was licking the window on the short bus on my way to school and missed your post. Can you type again, but a little slower, so I can try to keep up?

you have already proven you can not keep up

 

[Bobfripp]

No.

 

[gtyellowjacket]

Yes. Saying that there is a derogatory noun form of illegal does not improve the analogy to "felon," which isn't a derogatory term.

Illegal is a noun the same way n* is a word. In a technical sense, sure. But saying either one communicates information.

So to be clear, you think if a word is derogatory, it is not a word in the English language? Or do you believe that only applies to nouns that are derogatory?

 

[wmheel1287]

Why does wmheel1287 hate free speech?

I don't. I hate loathsome cocksuckers who intentionally demean other human beings.

 

[superrific]

So to be clear, you think if a word is derogatory, it is not a word in the English language? Or do you believe that only applies to nouns that are derogatory?

Here was my original statement:

"Illegal" is an adjective. There is no noun form. Unlike felon, it attaches a quality to a person, not a reference to that person's actions. To call someone an illegal is not accurate, it's almost always meant pejoratively, and it purports to describe their entire existence as one of lawlessness and danger. The obvious parallel isn't "felon," but rather "deplorable."

All of that is correct, save possibly for the second sentence because of this derogatory neologism. So I will correct by saying, "Illegal is an adjective that has possibly been twisted into a derogatory noun. Unlike felon . . . "

You want to dance a jig because of a technicality, go ahead. It doesn't change the meaning of what I wrote. It only means that enough people have used the derogatory term that dictionary-writers noted it. It's still derogatory, which goes to the point of this thread.

 

[WaynetheDrain]

Sorry, I was licking the window on the short bus on my way to school and missed your post. Can you type again, but a little slower, so I can try to keep up?

Did the window have a photo of Trump’s wrinkled nutsack on it?

 

[ColdBlueSteel]

I don't. I hate loathsome cocksuckers who intentionally demean other human beings.

Aren’t loathsome cocksuckers other human beings, just like illegals?

 

[wmheel1287]

Aren’t loathsome cocksuckers other human beings, just like illegals?

They are...and notice I referred to them with a noun. I gave them at least the minimal respect of recognizing their humanity. They are shitty humans, but they are humans.

People shouldn't be reduced to a demeaning adjective. It just shouldn't happen. No human is an "illegal". They may have participated in something illegal. Matter of fact, one would be hard pressed to find an adult in the US who has not participated in an illegal activity. I'm 100% sure that all of us on this board have done so and will do so again. Most of those illegal activities rise at least to the same level of illegality as does crossing the border without proper documentation.

 

[ColdBlueSteel]

They are...and notice I referred to them with a noun. I gave them at least the minimal respect of recognizing their humanity. They are shitty humans, but they are humans.

People shouldn't be reduced to a demeaning adjective. It just shouldn't happen. No human is an "illegal". They may have participated in something illegal. Matter of fact, one would be hard pressed to find an adult in the US who has not participated in an illegal activity. I'm 100% sure that all of us on this board have done so and will do so again. Most of those illegal activities rise at least to the same level of illegality as does crossing the border without proper documentation.

So is “shoplifter” or “jaywalker” ok but “shoplift” or “jaywalk” not because of the noun vs adjective/verb thing or whatever, or is it the dehumanization of the term “shoplifter” or “jaywalker” that’s the issue?

 

[wmheel1287]

So is “shoplifter” or “jaywalker” ok but “shoplift” or “jaywalk” not because of the noun vs adjective thing, or is it the dehumanization of the term “shoplifter” or “jaywalker” that’s the issue?

Notice how "shoplifter" and "jaywalker" describe an actual action taken by the person. Why not just refer to them as an "illegal" by the same justification?

Want to call someone a "border jumper", a "unauthorized immigrant", a "criminal immigrant", an "illegal immigrant", or whatever the fuck else blows your skirt up that involves an actual noun and description of their crime, I'm cool with it. But calling someone "illegal" as if their very existence defies the laws of humanity and civilization is a total bitch move.

 

[UNCatTech]

Kind of like you can commit a felony, or your actions can be felonious, but you can't be a felon.

I'm not great with the rules of English, but...

Also, we need a law that a felon cannot run for public office.

 

[UNCatTech]

Sorry, I was licking the window on the short bus on my way to school and missed your post. Can you type again, but a little slower, so I can try to keep up?

Is this supposed to be funny? Making fun of children with learning disabilities?

Maybe just go back to riding the fence and whining about being called names while making silly arguments over the semantics of the English language.

 

[UNCatTech]

Yes. Saying that there is a derogatory noun form of illegal does not improve the analogy to "felon," which isn't a derogatory term.

Illegal is a noun the same way n* is a word. In a technical sense, sure. But saying either one communicates information.

Wow, GT and Zen are on you.

Fences beware...