Welcome to the first edition of “Not Say I Want To Say”!
Today’s “Not Say I Want To Say” word is “society”.
Example from a news report:
The status of women in the society is low and the public attitude of men towards women is not healthy.
From “Violence rampant in North East: Rights body”, my emphasis.
How has “society” been misused here?
The speaker is referring to “society” in terms of a community or a collective group of people living together for a particular purpose – in the case above, people living in the North-east in India.
Unless the speaker is using “society” as a proper noun e.g. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – i.e. an actual club, association or body – s/he should not have included the definite article “the”.
How do we use “society” correctly?
Ask yourself: is a definite article (i.e. “a” or “the”) necessary for the purpose I intend?
E.g.
When referring to the companionship of a particular group:
- I enjoy the society of women. (Correct)
- I enjoy society of women. (Wrong)
When referring to an actual club, association or body:
- “Free access to this electronic resource over the Internet is another benefit of membership in the Society”. (Correct)
- Free access to this electronic resource over the Internet is another benefit of membership in Society. (Wrong)
When referring to a community or a collective group of people living together for a particular purpose (in the example below, Malaysians in Malaysia):
- Jealousy is not strong enough a reason for us to correct wealth inequality in society. (Correct)
- “Jealousy is not strong enough a reason for us to ‘correct’ wealth inequality in the society”. (Wrong)
Efficiency of non-standard use: Low; can lead to confusion.
Potential for adoption: DO NOT adopt – unless you want the society to crumble and die. (See what I mean?)
Have a good weekend and see you back here on Monday!
