De-languaging diagnosis (and medicine)
For some time now, I’ve been struck by the ease in which medical diagnosis is rendered in terms language. Doctors seem not to do much more but offer labels. As a linguist, I suppose to I should be happy with this informal Medical Society for Appreciation of Language. Alas, I am not. I think the labelling medic should take a step or two back.
Continue reading “De-languaging diagnosis (and medicine)”Linguistics of a psychological questionnaire
I don’t like psychological and psychiatric questionnaires. By reducing human experience into an item, a sentence or a dot on a sheet of paper, they take away what is crucial for experience: a story. As I say this at lectures or other speaking events, I am met with polite nodding and, oftentimes, reassurances that questionnaires are only of minor assistance, very readily discarded. I am met with some hostility, when I start unpicking the linguistic form of such instruments. And this is what this post is about. I want to show why the linguistic form of psychological instruments is important.
Continue reading “Linguistics of a psychological questionnaire”Power and docsplaining
A week or so ago, I read a piece on docsplaining. The term, as John Launer writes, refers to doctors’ explanations which are unwanted, unnecessary or patronising for the benefit of us who made the fatal error of not getting a medical degree. I agree with the points made by the author, but I think it’s worth taking the argument a bit further.
Continue reading “Power and docsplaining”On growing acceptability of suicide
In a recent article, the sociologist Julie Phillips raises the issue of the change in acceptability of suicide. Her argument is that taboos around suicide have loosened and, in the process, it’s become more socially available. In this post, which is likely to be controversial, I want to some comment on acceptability of suicide.
Continue reading “On growing acceptability of suicide”