Aug 10 2005
‘Communion’ confined by religious connotations
Recently I used the word communion at work.
I didn’t use it in a religious context. Websters online dictionary cites the first meaning as “An act or instance of sharing” stemming from the Latin ‘communio’ meaning ‘mutual participation’. Given this definition I assumed it was alright to use the term because of linguistic technical accuracy. For my current work context, I was wrong.
A senior person pointed out the specific ‘religious’ meaning made my use of the term outside a religious context offensive irrespective of technical accuracy. Through my use I ’show lack of sensitivity to religiously minded people’ .
I will avoid offending others by using this term outside of its religious meaning.
It was a lesson for me in natural linguistic evolution. It does sadden me when a word’s meanings are constrained or lost by social forces like neglect or ‘political correctness’. I’d like to live and work in an environment that celebrated linguistic diversity.
Accidentally Insensitve Wendy (Known Repeat offender)
write the first thought on ‘Communion’ confined by religious connotations
