The Power of Words

The power words have is oftentimes underestimated and as a result the world people live in is drastically altered. Words have been used since the invention and implementation of language to stir and move people. From dictators to liberators and revolutionaries words have been used to make points and give visuals to ideals of particular groups. When an African-American person is referred to as a “negro” or a white person is referred to as a “cracker” those words may be imbedded in the minds of younger people who overhear them. Children learn from the actions of adults and those older than themselves. While sometimes words such as “cracker” and “negro” may be typical friendly slang to a friend, many who may hear these words spoken may not necessarily understand and be offended. The same goes for any other derogatory slang about lifestyle, color, or religious choice. Words effect what children learn to be acceptable, how people react to others, and personal expression.

Children are auditory learners, and hearing is definitely a way that children learn what is acceptable. In Robin Tolmach Lakoffs’ (2009) essay The Power of Words in Wartime she says “In World War I, the British gave the Germans the nickname “‘Jerries’” from the first syllable of German. In World War II, Americans referred to the Japanese as ‘”Japs’”.” (p. 364). These derogatory terms are still used in the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). This signifies that the children of those countries have learned these terms from their elders. A child’s mind is very susceptible to influence in what he or she should not do or say in public or in private. For example if a child sees an adult they do not know say something derogatory in public to another person th...

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...ogies and emotions through words before he and the Nazi Party gained power in Germany.

Words effect everything from how and what children learn to interpersonal reactions and personal expression. Children will continue to learn derogatory and offensive slang, as long as their elders continue to speak it. The learning of this offensive and derogatory slang will only end when people choose to stop its use in its entirety. Interpersonal reactions will always differ and people in general will not always get along with one another. However, a less judgmental society may appear if people choose to look beyond shown intelligence and more toward personality and skill. Words will always be the best and most effective means of personal expression and will continue to carry the emotions and ideologies of their speakers or writers for hundreds or thousands of years to come.