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WE want to speak about independence. Extra particularly, we have to discuss how we discuss independence.
As you’ll know, except you’ve been in Outer Mongolia, or have shut your self off in a chilly, darkish room – for which place some could properly harbour a level of sympathy – the beginning pistol for a second independence referendum was formally fired by the First Minister on Tuesday of this week. October 19 subsequent 12 months is when she desires the race to be run, with the following Normal Election as a de facto backstop. So fasten your seat belts, right here we go once more.
Wanting again to the final time, 2014 will look like an aeon in the past to some. To others, no time in any respect can have handed. What has modified, although, is a few of the lexicon across the debate.
This variation, admittedly, has taken place over extra than simply the final decade. No-one actually talks about “freedom” any extra. Bear in mind “we’ll by free by ‘93”? I doubt “free in 2023” even crossed the SNP’s collective thoughts this time round.
In 2014, we talked concerning the Scottish independence referendum, typically dropping the “Scottish” half. I don’t recall many mentions of “indyref”. Now, nevertheless, we’ve Indyref2. Notice the Herald type, one phrase with a capital. It’s completely understandable, and just about universally accepted – a transparent instance of a slang phrase that has change into legitimised. By the way, “indy” ought to solely be utilized in headlines, and sparingly at that – usually solely when the obtainable house dictates.
There have after all been different adjustments to the political vocabulary. From about 2015 on, “Brexit” entered the general public consciousness, and is now absolutely established as a recognised phrase, even taking its place within the Oxford English Dictionary. Just lately, we’ve had correspondents making an attempt to insert the phrase “Scexit” into our columns. This one is just not for us, I’m afraid, definitely on the Letters Pages. For one factor, the phrase is ugly; it simply doesn’t journey off the tongue the best way Brexit does. For apparent causes, no-one has prompt the way more easily-pronounced “Sexit”, so we’ll depart it there.
Different phrases which some would possibly deem barbed have cropped up: “secessionist” for one, “separatist” for one more. Ought to we be taking a crimson pen to those? I’m inclined to assume not. We would like a respectful debate, but additionally a strong one.
With that in thoughts, it should go with out saying that we are going to be staying away from gratuitous insults. You will not be studying of “Nippy”, “Jabba” and the like. Equally, we wish to goal greater than the tiresome catcalling of “Yoon”, “Nat” and “BritNat”, for instance.
Sure, this debate on our Letters Pages will likely be divisive. However want it’s bitter?
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