News from the Local Groups

The AECB London Group met on 16th November 2011 for a revisit of the 2011 Conference workshop topic “Does Language Matter”.  Cath Hassell and Melissa Taylor introduced the evening with their thoughts, Cath exploring the meaning and use of the word ‘black water’ finding it to have a racist origin, while not illuminating the meaning ‘foul water’ or ‘sewage treatment for direct or indirect use’.  See her article at http://www.greenspec.co.uk/words-water-meaning.php.

Melissa gave a thoughtful look at accuracy and ambiguity in language and how both can be useful, with some great illustrations of how bringing people to work together under the umbrella ‘sustainability’ can be both useful and confusing!

The discussion was quite different from that at the Conference, and ranged pretty widely, thanks to all who took part.