Is the meaning of an insult based on the intent of the speaker? Rothwell may have thought so. When placing obscenity into his four categories, he maintained that “these words are generally considered obscene because of their application and the negative connotations associated with them” (232). An obscene word or phrase is insulting because of the application by the speaker and the negative connotation the speaker associates with them.
Or does the interpretation by the listener make something offensive? Rothwell also could’ve sympathized with this viewpoint. He wrote that the circumstances for determining the legitimacy of obscenity depend on who, where, and how the obscenity is used (239). The characteristics of the listener could be a part of determining the legitimacy of the obscenity. Butters (the scholar, not the character) also could’ve subscribed to this school of thought. By using his something sucks example, Butters may conclude that capability for being obscene depends on which of the many potential definitions the listener uses to interpret the language in question (132).
I believe that the meaning of an insult depends on the speaker’s intention as well as the listener’s interpretation, and “The F Word” can be applied to support this meaning.
The boys argue that “fag” has already undergone a change in meaning and usage from a gay slur. Through their visit with the mayor and city council, they emphasize that “fag” is already used as an insult to mean an annoying or unpleasant person, maintaining that there is no connotation of homophobia, and that the most widely accepted definition should change to more accurately reflect the word’s use as a general insult. The boys insist that the rules of usage should supersede any...
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... society is reinforcing the artificial divide between homosexuals and heterosexuals that could be mitigated by eliminating the other usage.
In the scene where the bikers look up the dictionary definition of “fag,” one biker notices that “fag was used as an insult to women, then poor people, then old people,” while another biker says that “that word just keeps changing its meaning.” Butters would agree that definitions change over time and that dictionary definitions are a source of legitimacy. This undermines the offensiveness of “fag” because the dictionary definition is likely to change from “inconsiderate douchebag” in the future to match whatever connotation it has acquired at that time, therefore even the dictionary acknowledges that definitions change and patterns of speech are ephemeral, so the link between any word and its current usage is likely to change
In the article “Dude You’re a Fag: Adolescent Homophobia” the author uses pathos and logos to convey the audience the main point of her article. Rhetorical modes such as exemplification and description are used. C.J. Pascoe is trying to argue that the word “fag” or “faggot is not mainly used as a homophobic slur within high school boys, but more commonly used to describe unmasculinity.
Naylor implies that derogatory terms have a twist and are a disguise of acknowledgement to her race. Although it was initially created to humiliate and dehumanize African Americans, ‘the n-word’ develops into a word that admires men of that race.
How many times have you heard the “N” word being used as not an insult, but as a nickname for a friend? The truth is: In 2016, the “petrifying” “N” word has become less of an insult, and more of a simple nickname that many teens and young adults use for each other. The simple connotation of the word has been modified throughout the years from being something that was used as hurtful slander of the black population, to a petty pet name. For this simple reason alone, all of the arguments about Huckleberry Finn being “Racist
By following this idea, it is clear that the constant creation of new meaning- and new words- blurs the lines so that nothing is really black or white. With this in mind, reading a piece from even as early as 1923 and finding the word “heterosexual” in it would lead to the wrong interpretation if changing definitions and cultural contexts are not taken into account. Furthermore, in 1892, “heterosexual” had a published definition that also was used to describe “inclinations to both sexes” (44). A term that did not exist at that time is bisexual, which is a term that would most accurately be used to describe this kind of sexuality, while heterosexual has taken on a completely new meaning. Without taking this into account, a person who reads a piece from that time period would mistakenly understand the word heterosexual in the way it is used
In an article published by “Journal of Blacks in Higher Education” Lawrence states that “even though I am always troubled by public use of the term nigger, the most uniquely hateful words in the American vocabulary. And yet I would never criticize Chris Rock for when, where and how he uses it” (Lawrence 84). The reason why the writer in the article stated the he do not criticize Chris Rock for using the word Nigga he fell as if American is ‘censoring and policing black creative and expression” (Lawrence 84). Racial slurs can be positive in the African American culture because it is an image that project how black can become better parents for their kids at home and role models, how education is very important and good work ethics. “On the other hand the significance of Mr. Richards’ upheaval is about more than terrible drama strategy. Jamie Masada, the proprietor of the Laugh Factory, and Paul Mooney, a black humorist who used to compose for Richard Pryor, have joined legislators and activists, including the Democrat of California, in requiring a conclusion to the utilization of what they call the N word by everybody including blacks” ( Allen 1). This is why individual in America looks at racial slurs differently because its interpretation black culture and black entertainment depending on how they perceive the jokes.
When it comes to the use of the “N-word”, “nigger”, most of us will readily agree that it is derived from negativity. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of is this word appropriate and should it be a part of our vocabulary today. Many feel like this word is okay to use but there are some that disagree.
The first point I’d like to make is that profanity is far too prominent in the television and movies we watch and the music we listen to. Lyrics with “swear words” are no stronger, nor any more passionate than lyrics with other strong, emotionally charged words. Some may argue that a character who swears on television may be “properly portraying the average American usage of profanity,” but let me ...
The N word has also been used to cause offense even to the non-black racial groups, for instance Jews have been called the white niggers; Arabs have been called the sand niggers and Japanese have also been called the yellow niggers. Back then the American country was dived into two halves meaning to say the whites were on top of the chain and the blacks were on the ve...
...,1994:246-247. Geraci, Joseph and DonaldH. Mader. "Pedophillia." Encyclopedia of Homosexuality Ed. Wayne R Dynes. Garland Publishing, Inc , New York, 1990: v2, 964-970. Hamill, Pete. "Confessions of a Heterosexual." The Aims of Argument. A Rhetoric and Reader. 2nd Ed. Timothy W. Crusius and Carolyn E. Chanell: Mayfield Publishing, Mountain View, California,1998: 531-536. Mohr, Richard D. "Gay Basics: Some Questions, Facts, and Values." Taking sides: Clashing Views on controversial Issues. Moral Issues. 4th Ed. Stephen Satris: The Dushkin Publishing Group, Inc, Guilford,1994:186-194. Nickel, Jeffrey. "Everybody’s Threatened by Homophobia." The Aims of Argument. A Rhetoric and Reader.2nd Ed. Timothy W. Crusius and Carolyn E. Chanell: Mayfield Publishing, Mountain View, California, 1998:527-530. Schuklenk,Udo and Tony Riley. "Homosexuality, Social Attitudes Toward." Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics. Editor-in -Chief Ruth Chadwick. Academic Press: San Diego, 1998: v2, 597-603. Ulanowsky, Carole. "The Family." Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics. Editor-in-Chief Ruth Chadwick. Academic Press: San Diego, 1998: v2,
What does it mean to say the “N-word” both it in its original form, or as the “N-word’, and what is the context for the impact which occurs when it leaves the mouths of blacks and or whites. I begin with a look at ‘Teaching the N-Word” by Emily Bernard, she is a 30 year old African American professor who teaches at University of Vermont which happens to be a predominantly white institution. She works alongside her husband, a white man, who is also a professor of African American History ; her brother writes for The Source and urges her students to think about the ways in which the “N-word” is used in pop culture. The students in Emily Bernard’s honors literature class must question the effect of the n-word on black people and just as importantly
In the article “In praise of the “F” Word” Mary Sherry discusses the “F” word, which means failure. Basically Mary Sherry stated that the kids of today are getting cheated out of a good education. They are passing through the school system because some are good kids and they do not create any problems in the classroom. But, at the same time employers are also being cheated because they expect graduates to have the basic skills. She also stated that Diplomas are considered meaningless because most of these kids who were awarded one could not read or write properly and therefore, they are back in night school along with adults who are trying to get their G.E.D.
In the 1990's there has been what is called a "normalized movement"(Warner 41). This so-called movement has permeated into all aspects of the Gay and Lesbian movement's agenda. It has become increasingly clear in the realms of the media such as television, movies and magazines. The major objective for the proponents of this movement is to make the homosexual seem "normal." This would be done by not focusing on the sexual nature of the homosexual. Since their sexual behavior is considered deviant by society, any outward expression of it will be looked down upon. So, it has been the goal of some leaders of the movement as well as those who control the media outlets to separate the identity and sexuality of the homosexual as far as possible.
We live in a world where any type of swearing or cursing is ubiquitous. It is almost impossible to not hear a swear word when in public places or even at home. Not much can be done about the swearing situation as it is sometimes seen as a rebellious act or as an intensifier that adds no meaning but adds an “emotional punch” to any utterance. Swear words, especially the “F-word” and words involving sexual terms or racial slurs are looked down on. People using swear words are seen as uneducated, vulgar or low class people. Swear words are often attached to stereotypes when it comes down to who swears the most between men and women and gender roles come into play here. This will be explained and described further into the essay. Many people get offended by swear words, no matter what age, but that is because everyone has a different offensiveness threshold. One word that is offensive to one person may be the word used regularly by another person.
An issue that has, in recent years, begun to increase in arguments, is the acceptability of homosexuality in society. Until recently, homosexuality was considered strictly taboo. If an individual was homosexual, it was considered a secret to be kept from all family, friends, and society. However, it seems that society has begun to accept this lifestyle by allowing same sex couples. The idea of coming out of the closet has moved to the head of homosexual individuals when it used to be the exception.
In the article, "You Can't Say That," the author Diane Ravitch talks about how certain words are deleted from books or not shown in films because they could offend certain groups. In the article, Ravitch argues that although it may seem like we live in a world where anything goes, the truth is, that's not true. Diane does research and gathers a list of more than five hundred words that regularly get deleted from textbooks and tests. Some of the words include cowboy, brotherhood, yacht, and primitive. Personally I believe that the censoring of words these days is somewhat extreme. I understand that certain groups could be offended by such words but why should everyone else not get the original words the author is trying to write because of that.