Here are three articles from the WEB that refer an incident similar to the fictious "howlee" example; only this one REALLY HAPPENED! These articles relate to the firing of an aid to the Mayor of Washtington D.C., for using the term, "Nigardly." What was his real intent (illocution) and how was it received by many people (perlocution)? What is the locution here?
(I have included not only the URL's but also the text itself, because one never knows for sure how long the links will remain viable on the WEB.)
D.C. mayor's aide resigns over use of word 'niggardly'
By The Associated Press, free! staff
1.28.99
WASHINGTON - The city's new mayor accepted the resignation of a member of his staff because of
complaints that he used a racial epithet. But even as he stepped down, David Howard, who is white,
said the word he used - "niggardly"- has no racial connotation.
Webster's New World College Dictionary agrees, defining "niggardly" as "stingy, miserly." The dictionary
gives its root as the Middle English word "negarde," which in turn derives from the Old Norse "hnoggr,"
also meaning stingy. Webster's 10th Edition concurs, defining it as "grudgingly mean about spending or
granting." The dictionary dates its use to the late 16th century. The word bears no connection to race.
"Mr. Howard's resignation was prompted by reports that he made an inappropriate racial comment,"
Mayor Anthony Williams said in a statement Jan 26. "He didn't say anything that was in itself racist,"
Williams told reporters, but added that Howard had shown poor judgment.
However, The Washington Post reported today that Williams said later that he would review the
circumstances that led to Howard's resignation and did not rule out offering him another job in his
administration.
And NAACP chairman Julian Bond said today that the mayor had acted in a "niggardly" way by
accepting Howard's resignation so quickly. "You hate to think you have to censor your language to meet
other people's lack of understanding," Bond said. "This whole episode speaks loudly to where we are on
issues of race. Both real and imagined slights are catapulted to the front burner."
In a separate statement, Howard said he had used "niggardly" in reference to a fund he administers.
The Post reported that Howard said: "I will have to be niggardly with this fund because it's not going
to be a lot of money." Because the word sounds like a racial epithet, Howard said, he realized that
other members of the mayor's staff present when he made the remark were offended. He said he
quickly apologized. The Post said two staffers, one black, one white, both reacted strongly to
Howard's use of the word and did not accept his explanation.
But he said that since he made the remark on Jan. 15, he has received many angry phone calls from
people who thought he made a racist remark. About two-thirds of the capital city's half-million
population is black.
"I would never think of making a racist remark," said Howard, whose job was to hear the concerns of
district residents and bring them to the attention of the mayor and his staff. "I realize that this rumor
has severely compromised my effectiveness as the district's public advocate and, in the best interest
of my office, I resigned."
In accepting Howard's resignation, Williams said, "We're trying to bring our city together."
The mayor, who is black, said he was "troubled by recent news stories about race ³ questions about
whether I'm black enough or have too many advisers who are not."
Williams said the issue reflected a "hurt" and "great divide" within the city and that race relations must
be talked about openly in the nation's capital.
January 25, 1999
Statement
Statement by David Howard Regarding His Resignation as Director
of the Office of the Public Advocate
Statement by David Howard Regarding his Resignation as Director of the Office of the
Public Advocate
I have resigned my position as Director of the Office of the Public Advocate for the Government of the District of Columbia
effective January 25, 1999.
On January 19, in a conversation with two employees, I used the word "niggardly" in reference to my administration of a fund. Although the word,
which is defined as miserly, does not have any racial connotations, I realize that staff members present were offended by the word. I immediately
apologized.
Since January 15, I have received many phone calls from individuals who had heard I had made a vicious racist remark, the text of which was
actually said and in fact unquotable here. I would never think of making a racist remark. I regret that the word I did use offended anyone. I realize
this rumor has severely compromised my effectiveness as the District's Public Advocate and in the best interest of my office, I resigned.
Mayor's aide resigns over controversy about what he said
Associated Press
Tuesday, January 26, 1999
WASHINGTON - A member of the new mayor's executive staff resigned Tuesday
because of complaints he used a racial epithet. But even as he stepped down,
David Howard, who is white, said the word he used - ``niggardly'' - does not have
any racial connotation.
``Mr. Howard's resignation was prompted by reports that he made an inappropriate
racial comment,'' Mayor Anthony Williams said in a statement Tuesday night.
In a separate statement, Howard identified the word he used as ``niggardly'' and
said he was referring to a fund he administers. Howard said it means ``miserly.''
Webster's Tenth Edition concurs, defining it as ``grudgingly mean about spending
or granting.'' The dictionary dates its use to the late 16th century.
Because the word sounds like a racial epithet, Howard said, he realized other
members of the mayor's staff present when he made the remark were offended.
He said he quickly apologized.
But he said that since he made the remark on Jan. 15, he has received many
angry phone calls from people who thought he made a racist remark. About
two-thirds of the capital city's half million population is black.
``I would never think of making a racist remark,'' said Howard, whose job was to
hear the concerns of district residents and bring them to the attention of the mayor
and his staff. ``I realize that this rumor has severely compromised my
effectiveness as the district's public advocate and, in the best interest of my office,
I resigned.''
In accepting Howard's resignation, Williams said he is ``committed to representing
all of the people of our city and making sure my administration truly reflects the
city's diversity.''
At the same time the mayor, who is black, said he is ``troubled by recent news
stories about race - questions about whether I'm black enough or have too many
advisors who are not.''
Williams said the issue reflects a ``hurt'' and ``great divide'' within the city and
that race relations must be talked about openly in the nation's capital.