ABSTRACT
Language is one of the most valuable tools in human interaction. It is the bridge for thoughts and expressions of feelings; it is how two human beings come to know each other. In terminal care, the caretaker needs to be aware of the language used. Present attitudes about death reflect significantly on past influences, and part of this development is reflected in our pattern of language. Language which supports attempts to deny that death has occurred will hinder the process of necessary grief work. To grow the change can be difficult, as old patterns of behavior are tenacious. It is worth the effort in confronting ourselves about death and dying and how we feel about it to learn to change our language as we learn to alter our attitudes about the normalcy of death. Superstitious beliefs may influence our tendency to avoid using the word death.
