We’ve been thinking a lot about language here at the ZRC lately; specifically, the language relating to the Undead and their long-denied struggle for acceptance and equality.

When the living talk about Zombies, they often use terms like ‘rotting corpse’, ‘living dead’, ‘shambler’, ‘slow-walker’ and the like, expressing their disdain and intolerance. But even the term ‘zombie’ carries with it enormous emotional and cultural baggage and is used as an epithet, often against the living themselves. So how do we maintain a civil tone?

The ZRC has developed a few simple guidelines for discussion and interaction that will hopefully allow us all to have an informative and constructive conversation without hurting feelings, causing offense or being misunderstood.

1) Acceptable/Preferred terms
When discussing actual, intelligent, diverse individuals who just happen to be reanimated corpses, the ZRC prefers that you use the word ‘Zombie’ with capitalization. This helps to indicate that the person is part of a minority, but no less valued, class of human being, a group on par with an ethnic or religious identification. Similar terms include Undead American and/or Differently Animated.

Examples:
Undead-American (or Undead-Canadian, Undead-Frenchman, what have you, depending on nationality)
Differently Animated
Zombie

2) Less Acceptable terms
There are many words that are used to describe the Undead that, while not intentionally hurtful, are nevertheless out of date or carry too strong a negative connotation, and so the ZRC suggests that they not be used. For instance, the term ‘Living-Impaired’. The ZRC does not endorse the term ‘Living-Impaired’, as it implies that the Undead all aspire to a state of Living, and that being alive is automatically preferable to being Undead.

Examples:
Living Impaired
Reanimate

3) Unacceptable Language
These are the words that are outright offensive and derogatory to the Zombie population, and the ZRC strongly urges that you not use them in everyday conversation.

Examples:
Tarman
Shambler
Lurch
Stench
Walking Dead
Living Dead
Stinky
Ghoul
Slow-walker

The ZRC wishes to thank all of our readers for their heartfelt cooperation in opening a productive and friendly dialogue on the issue of Zombie Rights.

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This entry was posted by John Sears on Saturday, September 26th, 2009 at 3:05 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.