I did not get that far – diverted by yet more evidence that there is absolutely nothing new in ‘political correctness.’
The following is an extract from The Times of 14 February 1913.
That last sentence speaks volumes about the gulf that can grow between those at 'home' & those who fondly believe that everything in the old country remains as it was when they left, something that can affect migrants everywhere.The nomenclature of IndiansOfficial orders
The use of the word ‘native’ as a synonym for ‘Indian’, customary for generations in official & public speech & writing, has been discouraged in recent years, & more particularly from the time of Lord Minto’s Viceroyalty, owing to the dislike of the appellation shown by the educated classes.
Though it has now been generally discarded in official correspondence, reports & returns, the Government of India have deemed it desirable to give a definite direction to this effect to their officers.
The notification … recognises that in certain contingencies it is impossible to avoid the use of the word, eg in such phrases as … ‘statutory native of India’ (a term which includes the domiciled whites). But generally officers of Government have been directed to use the word ‘Indian’ instead of ‘native’ in all official papers …
Our readers are aware that this has long been the practice of The Times.
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