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Subject:Re: "Granny" instructions--new point From:"Michael A. Lewis" <lewism -at- BRANDLE -dot- COM -dot- AU> Date:Mon, 17 Nov 1997 14:17:27 +1100
R2 Innovations wrote:
>
> Isn't it a sad comment on our society that people have to be
> "trained" to ensure they treat each other with common decency and
> respect. What ever happened to the golden rule -- "Do unto others
> as you would have them do unto you."
>
> Sorry Eric, I know this is off topic but its something that
> really bugs me, and I suspect many others.
I don't think it _is_ off topic (though I confess Eric has had to slap
my wrist before now). There are two issues, closely related, that emerge
for tech communicators: first, the need to avoid stereotyping our
audiences; second, the need to avoid using stereotypical expressions
when we refer to them, either directly as a "mode of address" or
indirectly when we discuss audience with our clients etc. We should all
be past the first, but we should be aware of the second if we want
clients (employers, etc) to take us seriously when we talk about
audience analysis etc.
--
Michael Lewis
Brandle Pty Limited, Sydney, Australia
: PO Box 1249 : Suite 8, The Watertower :
: Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012 : 1 Marian St, Redfern 2016 :
: Tel +61-2-9310-2224 : Fax +61-2-9310-5056 :
