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For over 50 years stand-up comedians have played an important part in the examination of popular culture and society. Several generations of comedians have served as critics and observers of American life. Many comedy acts have also courted controversy. Right now, people inside and outside the world of comedy are debating what, if anything, is too controversial for comedic use. In other words, should comics concern themselves with "political correctness?" To be 'politically correct,' or PC, means to avoid language that is, or could be, offensive to a group of people. It is usually used in sarcasm, however, by those who reject political correctness.
* stand-up comedian = 무대에서 단독[혼자] 공연[연기]하는 코미디언/ play[act] a part = 역(할)을 하다/ critic = 비평가, 평론가/ observer = 목격자; 참관인; 관찰자/ court = 자초하다; ~의 환심을 사려고 하다; 구애하다/ controversy = 논란/ comedic = 희극(풍)의/ political correctness = (때로 못마땅함) 정치적 정당성(차별적인 언어 사용, 행동을 피하는 원칙)/ offensive (to sb) = (~에게) 모욕적인, 불쾌한/ sarcasm = 빈정댐, 비꼼
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld created the hugely successful television show "Seinfeld." He is a leading critic of the so-called PC movement. In fact, he recently said that he would no longer perform at U.S. colleges and universities because he considers stㅌ`udents to be too PC. Chris Rock, John Cleese, Lisa Lampanelli and several other influential comedians also have expressed similar opinions. They say political correctness represents an unreasonable sensitivity. They argue that that it hurts comedy and restricts open discussion. Author and comedian Jim Norton has suggested that society is now "addicted to the rush of being offended."
* hugely = 엄청나게, 극도로/ influential = 영향력이 있는(큰)/ unreasonable = 지나친, 부당한, 불합리한/ sensitivity = (남의 기분을 헤아리는 데) 세심함/ restrict = 제한[한정]하다/ open discussion = 솔직한[열린] 논의[토론]/ rush = (강한 감정이 갑자기) 치밀어 오름[북받침]; 수요 급증
