The internal tensions of Political Correctness in the Brazilian context

Abstract

This article presents a reflection on the constitutive aspects of Political Correctness (PC). It utilizes the idea of double decontextualization developed by Norman Fairclough, to discuss the process within the PC action operates. With this framework, and the presentation of examples, the article seeks to point out that the PC criticism develops in two senses: (i) by literally interpreting the linguistic expression and (ii) an attempt to hide the subject agent of the action of criticism behind the universality of the defended value. In this sense, the strength of the PC is linked to a double decontextualization movement.