Outing the English Language

It was reported in the Daily Telegraph on Monday last that Oxford University Press have removed words associated with Christianity. the monarchy and British traditions and history; this being done to reflect the fact that Britain is a modern, multicultural, multifaith society.

Oxford University Press has removed words like "aisle", "bishop", "chapel", "empire" and "monarch" from its Junior Dictionary and replaced them with words like "blog", "broadband" and "celebrity". Dozens of words related to the countryside have also been culled. An analysis of the word choices made by the dictionary lexicographers has revealed that entries from "abbey" to "willow" have been axed. Instead, words such as "MP3 player", "voicemail" and "attachment" have taken their place.

In order to make the dictionary ‘more relevant’ words like ‘blog’, ‘broadband’, ‘MP3 player’, ‘voicemail’ and ‘celebrity’ are supplanting those which may explain and educate them on their country’s Christian heritage and cultural traditions. 

And with supreme irony, yet of immense political significance, ‘monarch’ has been erased while ‘EU’ enters for the first time. It is an insidious agenda indeed which seeks to impress on the minds of the nation’s most vulnerable and impressionable, namely its children, the supremacy of the European Union over the monarchy of the United Kingdom.

Having a cynical nature makes me think that In order to make the dictionary ‘more relevant’ words like ‘blog’, ‘broadband’, ‘MP3 player’, ‘voicemail’ and ‘celebrity’ are supplanting those which may explain and educate them on their country’s Christian heritage and cultural traditions. 

And with supreme irony, yet of immense political significance, ‘monarch’ has been erased while ‘EU’ enters for the first time. It is an insidious agenda indeed which seeks to impress on the minds of the nation’s most vulnerable and impressionable, namely its children, the supremacy of the European Union over the monarchy of the United Kingdom.

Being of a cynical nature this decision by Oxford University Press can only be described as 'Orwellian' in nature and begs the question whether 'pressure has been brought to bear', or if this change is but part of an 'hidden agenda'.