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This is absolute insanity. What next? Burn any book that uses the word assimilatein any context? Remove the word from our lexicon altogether? I know some people would say yes — there are other words that mean much the same thing. But what if, as a woman unable to have children, I’m upset by a licence plate that reads BABE. Are all forms of the word baby to be pulled from use? How many words must we give up because someone might be offended?

This is not about understanding feelings. This is about our ability to use language. There is pretty much no circumstance where it’s appropriate to use the N-word. That word has no need to exist. But assimilate is just a word with meanings that have nothing to do with First Nations. Where is the line going to be drawn where I can and cannot use this word, or any other?

Shelagh Kuse, North Vancouver

Language will be reduced to monosyllables

I was surprised to read that, at least in Manitoba, the word “assimilate” is consider to be an obscenity. This was of concern to me as I use that word quite often respecting business matter. Such as: “It is to be hoped that the new employees will quickly be assimilated into our management system” or “the new immigrants to Canada worked hard to assimilate into the culture of their new homeland”. Now that I have been informed that “Indigenous groups are opposed to the word,” in order to remain politically correct I will have to find another word to use instead. Also, it would be helpful if these “Indigenous groups” would compile a list of other words they are opposed to so that I don’t accidentally offend them by using another politically incorrect word.

Perhaps we should ban the word “Canadian” since I believe things were often done by Canadians or in the name of Canadians that some Indigenous groups might find offensive. In that case we could be Northern North Americans. No, that doesn’t work either since I am sure some would find “America” offensive. Perhaps just Northern Norths then.

If things continue like this, the English language is likely to be reduced to monosyllables.

Garth Evans, Vancouver