December 10, 2006
Suicide Or Homicide?
World Politics Watch has An Interview With Al-Jazeera Editor-in-Chief Ahmed Sheikh. An interesting question comes up:
For what is happening in Palestine, we never use the expression "suicide bombing."
What do you call it then?
In English, I would describe it as "bombings."
And in Arabic?
Literally translated, we would speak of "commando attacks." In our culture, it is precisely not suicide.
But instead a praiseworthy act?
When the country is occupied and the people are being killed by the enemy, everyone must take action, even if he sacrifices himself in so doing.
So...people who blow themselves up in an attempt to kill other people aren't suicide bombers. In arabic, they're not even bombers. They're commandos. How brash.
I've been watching the word-smiths for a while now...and FOX News presents a twist. Lately, FOX News has been describing the act as a "homicide bomb."
I wonder how widespread the use of such a word is. With the War of Words, we can find out. Here's a look at the occurrences of "suicide bomber" vs "homicide bomber":
Interesting. The overwhelming majority choose "suicide bomber." FOX News is the only outlet with any noticeable use of the word "homicide bomber."
So here's the spectrum of word selection to describe the same act:
- commando action
- bombing
- suicide bombing
- homicide bombing
Oh, yeah...let's not forget:
- martyrdom operation
Which do you think is more appropriate?
Previously...
Also...
- War of Words at No Man's Blog
Posted by Richard at December 10, 2006 8:21 AM
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