Title: Hi, Hania
Author: OISE IT
Last saved by: Antoni Ruszkowski
Company: OISE

A-Z of Humanism: A  Plea  for the Humanizing Use of Languages

Francisco Gomes de Matos

Francisco Gomes de Matos is an applied peace linguist from  Brazil. He is currently President of the Board, Brazil America Association (www.abaweb.org), in Recife. E-mail: fcgm@hotlink.com.br

Menu

Background
Introduction
The Plea

Background

“ Thought I´d share this. Ever thought of compiling a brief dictionary of
Humanizing English? By this I mean using words that could help HUMANIZE us
and the persons we interact with ? See my list below. Maybe readers of HLT would like to comment on it ,add to it, contribute to a still unexplored dimension of language education ? I hope  that this Plea  will be translated  into as many languages as possible ,with appropriate linguocultural adaptations.”  Francisco

Introduction

Introductions to Linguistics  ,in stating  the chief  traits  of  Language(its nature and uses), usually point out its arbitrariness(conventionality)universality, systematicity,
variation , change, creativity, as well as its  human  and cognitive nature. In my survey of Principles of linguistics (Gomes de Matos,1994), I advocated the addition of the  humanizing nature of language, for the uses  of that multifaceted, mental marvel for meaning-making  can contribute to our playing our role of humanizers, persons imbued with the principles of human rights/responsibilities, justice, dignity and peace  and who apply such rules of conduct in our daily interaction. That  languages can be
used  for humanizing and dehumanizing is a truism, but a sustained, systematic focus on the former  is still conspicuously missing in many of the world’s school curricula, hence  this plea for all those concerned with/engaged in  educating Humankind for Peace  to consider, increase and implement the Checklist below, as creatively as possible.

The Plea

We can HUMANIZE our  uses  of  (name of language/s) when  we  interact

1  agreeably, altruistically, amicably, appreciatively, assertively
2. beneficently, benevolently, benignly, big-heartedly
3  caringly, charitably, civic-mindedly, collaboratively, compassionately,  
    conciliatorily, considerately, cordially,    constructively, cooperatively
4  democratically, dignifyingly, dutifuly
5  empathically, empoweringly, encouragingly, equitably, ethically
6  fairly, friendly
7  good-heartedly, good-naturedly
8  helpfully, humanely, humanitarianly, humanizingly, humbly
9  instructively,
10 interdependently
11 lovingly, loyally
12 magnanimously, mercifully
13 neighbourly, non-judgmentally, non-violently. non-discriminatorily, 
     non- ethnocentrically, non-xenophobically
14 obligingly, open-mindedly, optimistically
15 patiently, peacefully, philanthropically, positively, protectively
16 quietly 
17 relevantly, reliably, respectfully, responsibly
18 selflessly, sensitively, supportively, sympathetically, solidarily
19 tenderly, thoughtfully, trustworthily,
20 understandingly, unselfishly
21 virtuously
22 well-intentionedly, well-meaningfully
23 zealously

Reference

Gomes de Matos, F. (1994): A thesis 20 years on:  Principles of Linguistics and The  Theory-Praxis of the Rights of Language Learners, in  Leila Barbara and
Mike Scott(eds) Reflections on Language Learning. In honour of Antonieta
Celani. Clevedon, Philadelphia,and Adelaide: Multilingual Matters, 1994, p.106

The  Creative Methodology for the Classroom course can be viewed here.
The Creative Writing course can be viewed here.