navvy
New member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2013
- Member Type
- Interested in Language
- Native Language
- English
- Home Country
- Scotland
- Current Location
- Netherlands
Some time ago a poster asked whether the words student and pupil are synonymous. Most answers indicated that the word pupil was archaic and that both in the UK and in the US the term student applied from primary school up to university.
It was also stated that a student is one who observes. In my book that would be an observer and a student is one who studies ... a subject.
I deplore the use of the word student for school children. It is a relatively recent departure in the UK and, I suspect in the US as well.
The term pupil is used by government in the UK. It is also a legal term and is used, as in articled pupil, for someone who is accredited to a master for the purpose of learning a profession
This change is yet another example of the devaluation of our language and the reduction in our active vocabularies. A person who was one a foreman is now termed a manager; an associate is now a member and a member now a fellow.
It was also stated that a student is one who observes. In my book that would be an observer and a student is one who studies ... a subject.
I deplore the use of the word student for school children. It is a relatively recent departure in the UK and, I suspect in the US as well.
The term pupil is used by government in the UK. It is also a legal term and is used, as in articled pupil, for someone who is accredited to a master for the purpose of learning a profession
This change is yet another example of the devaluation of our language and the reduction in our active vocabularies. A person who was one a foreman is now termed a manager; an associate is now a member and a member now a fellow.