13. Backward
Backward is defined as not advanced. Bashar al-Assad used this expression when describing the Arab society in his speech A10. The meaning of this
expression is quite simplistic in order to portray what the Arab society is like in reality. Most of the countries in the Middle East are characterized as having high rates
of poverty and birth, a limited number of industries, and a low economic growth. The examples of such countries are Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia. Although it
implies laggard, the expression backward does not specify the extent to which the lag is and the aspect which is being described.
Disadvantaged means a country, a person, and or a group of people which do not meet the standard of living conditions, education, etc. that most other people
have. This expression is more explicit in terms of describing the aspect of the subject being described – living conditions, for instance – and the extent of the laggard –
below the standard most people have. Compared to backward, this expression is more blatant in describing an unfortunate situation. It portrays the fact that not only are the
countries not advanced but even worse, they are below standard of living. In other words, the expression disadvantaged contains the semantic property below standard
while backward does not. Underdeveloped means having many poor people and few industries and
services. Compared to backward and disadvantaged, this expression is more explicit in portraying the economic level. It does not only specify the living conditions but
also the economic condition which causes them to live under such deprivation.
Underdeveloped, then, is more likely to portray the Arab society due to its semantic properties below standard and poor. In order to show the distinction between the three
expressions, the table below compares the semantic properties contained in backward, disadvantaged, and underdeveloped.
backward disadvantaged
underdeveloped laggard
+ +
+ below standard
- +
+ poor
- ±
+ Table 15. Semantic properties of backward, disadvantaged, and underdeveloped
14. Flunky
Bassar al-Assad refers to some Arab nations who are clingy to the West as flunkies A11. Flunky itself means a person who does small jobs for someone
powerful or important. In reality, some Arab countries indeed do something for or help the West. Usually, it is in form of supplying the West’s demand for oil. These
Arab countries try their best to please their customers – the West – by keeping good relations, compromising their conservative ideologies to be more liberal, opening
their markets for foreign investment, and maintaining oil price. All of these are done to ensure that the West will keep on buying oil from them since oil export is their
biggest source of income. Therefore, what these Arab countries do is not just a gesture of goodwill or small help for the West. They are also expecting something in
return which is beneficial for themselves. However, this reality is not portrayed in the
expression flunky, which only implies the small job or help is done without any expectation of something in return.
Toady means a person who praises and helps powerful people in order to get their approval or gaining favors. Compared to flunky, toady contains the semantic
property gaining favor and taking advantage. It does not only mean someone who does something for more powerful and important people but also the motive behind
him doing so. Bootlicker refers to someone who gains favor through a servile or obsequious manner. Similar to toady, this expression also reveal meanings such as
gaining favor and taking advantage for one’s own self. These two meanings are not included in flunky. Hence, toady and bootlicker are more likely to portray the attitude
of some Arab nations towards the West in reality. The table below compares the semantic properties of flunky, toady, and bootlicker.
flunky toady
bootlicker servile
+ +
+ to gain favor
- +
+ to take advantage
- +
+ Table 16. Semantic properties of flunk, toady, and bootlicker
15. Spectacle
Spectacle is defined as an unusual or unexpected event or situation which attracts attention, interest or disapproval. Bashar al-Assad used this expression to
describe the invasion of Iraq by the West, especially the United States and United
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