NEWS – “without comment”
Data protection watchdog tells staff that French and Latin phrases should be phased out over fears they confuse the general public
By Chris Hastings for The Mail on Sunday
Published: 12 June 2022
French phrases that were once de rigueur and Latin words used ad infinitum should be phased out, according to a leading watchdog
The Information Commissioner’s Office has asked staff to change their modus operandi for fear of confusing the general public
The organisation is concerned they are ‘alienating’ because many do not understand what they mean
It is not that the phrases are problematic per se but instead that the organisation is concerned they are ‘alienating’ because many do not understand what they mean.
The ICO, which is responsible for the operation of Freedom of Information legislation and data protection laws, has issued a style guide to its full and part-time staff.
French phrases that were once de rigueur and Latin words used ad infinitum should be phased out, according to a leading watchdog
It states: ‘English has embraced thousands of words from other languages, including bungalow, cliche, graffiti, kiosk and ombudsman.
But some words of foreign origin are so uncommon that they confuse or alienate our readers.’
In particular, the guide warns staff not to use Latin words and phrases, including quid pro quo and ergo, because ‘few people have studied Latin’.
The advice has divided opinion, with Julian Fellowes, the Oscar-winning creator of Downton Abbey, suggesting it was ‘infantilising the British people’, and adding:
“’The idea that it is morally right to make absolutely no demands on anyone, either intellectually or emotionally, is a pernicious one and simply increases the gap between the privileged and those who are less so.”
ad absurdum – Hard, not to comment…………….
reductio ad absurdum, ab absurdo