I think the sentiment boils down to this:
There is such a thing as inappropriate usage, no such thing as offensive useage.
(well, there is, but it is relative and no way feasible to regulate.)
First and foremost, the word was spelt wrong and therefore, if we take
what was actually stated, the term could NOT be offensive unless you
are offended by the re-tarting of objects (I.E. making them sour again!)
Secondly, and this is most important: Language is only personal if you
make it so or if a pronoun is put in that implies a person or persons
attatched to the language. This case in point has the object in question
as a cellular phone, an inanimate object with no (probably no) feelings.
While your valliant attempt to discourage the demeaning of inanimate
objects is... well... valliant, it is not neccessary as the cellular phone will
never say thank you or feel the joy of being stood up for.
On the third point of "offensive" language versus "in-appropriate useage";
while there are words that are clearly used almost always in a derogatory
manner, and phrases of the same, it is NO SINGLE PERSONS right or
privalage to decide the instance at which these words become such and
then change or remove them UNLESS that person is a moderator or a
activator of the law. You may request (By PM please, no need to yell
it out here, if the mod hasn't seen a problem with it yet, they probably
wont notice your request!) to have it removed but realize it is only that:
A Request.
And it can be fufilled or not. Because, as you can see, the word was
NOT used improperly. Moving away from our misspelling fun, lets look
at the word retarded:
American Heritage Dictionary Defines thus:
v. tr.
To cause to move or proceed slowly; delay or impede.
v. intr.
To be delayed.
n.
A slowing down or hindering of progress; a delay.
Music A slackening of tempo.
If the phone in-question did infact slow, or sees to function, or infact
did impede or delay her voice message, her useage of the word is
correct and neither rude nor inflammatory. Therefore, no ill will was
meant by it other than to explain frustration with the inanimate object
in question.
Vocabulary is a blessed thing, in the english language their are a million
words and hundreds of differentials and possibilities for saying what you
want to say. Every society and culture is different in their understanding
of these words. For example, in southern areas of the united states
(and midwestern states sometimes) a man or woman may be required to
go chop a *** or to up for the smoke house for some deer jerky
(mmm... tastey) conversely, a young woman in wales may ask her boyfriend
for a *** after dinner. Are these people using offensive language? Or
are they using a WORD in appropriate context to their culture for a bundle
of kindling and a cigarette even those many people might confuse them
with a sometimes found rude word for the homosexual community?
Words can't hurt you unless you don't take the time to remember what
they REALLY mean. If you assume everyone means ill will with their
words and do not try to contextualize them, you are in for a world of
aggrevation. A new word is taken to mean something foul each and
every day and if we are not careful about how we view the language
around us, soon no one will be able to say ANYTHING without offending
us! What a shame when our words are THAT harmful...
I recall a nursery rhyme to this effect..
But I digress, I think my forensicator is showing...
Thanks for listening to my rant!
~Ally
P.S. OP: Just call them back, let them know your phone went "sour"
On you and re-do your message!
