Problems of Language Rights

Question: Discuss about the Problems of Language Rights. Answer: Introduction: There is no gain stating the fact that swearing itself is very unpleasant and it does upset the listeners. However, the reason why swearing should be stopped is not because of the simple fact that it serves nothing except humiliating and embarrassing people in public, but also it makes one rash, reckless and violent. While speech is being used for communicating ones thoughts to the listener, often one misuses that and distorts communication, by using abusive words (Kaye Sapolsky, 2004). However, the use of abusive slangs make a person more ruthless, and when he is unable to use his speech to good ends, he fails to control himself or the people around him. Swearing is usually habitual and instinctive, and the more a person indulges in the act of swearing, the more casual he will become (Fish, 1994). Someone who can insensibly use any abusive language, and can think of hurting the self-esteem of other people, at the slightest provocation, will never be able to control the behavior, as that individual will turn to be more callous and reckless while dealing with other people (Jay, 2009). It should be noted that a person who knows how to communicate effectively with other people, will always gain the confidence and respect, and will be able to persuade others. On the other hand, an abusive person who tends to swear every now and then will not be perceived as a sane or a discreet individual, and thus he will fail to exercise control over other people. It is worthwhile to mention here that one of the most distinctive features of any form of hate speech is that the speaker usually utters it without realizing that it can hurt the listener. The more a person abuses his friends and peers, the more prone will he be to use this word frequently. Gradually, the person will lose control over what he says or to whom is he saying the same. For example, it has been observed that people frequently using the slang words, continually use the same, until they lose control over themselves and start using them in front of parents, teachers and other respected people as well (Hughes, 2011). Usually, the slang words are being used with a sense of levity by the people, and soon the users start abusing others without any serious reason behind it. Consequently, a careless attitude develops among the users that compel people to use the words more frequently and without any concrete reason. Even if the speaker is not infuriated or excited by anything, he w ould still use abusive words, and would consequently lose control over himself (Sumner Waldron , 2013). It is important to know how to control ones words as it helps one to control the basic emotions, such as anger, fury or excitement and as a result, so that a person can behave like a rational human being. An individual can start yelling at people with aggression, attacking people on the basis of the creed, culture or sex. While on the one hand, one will be unable to control ones own emotions the individual person will at the same time fail to earn proper respect from other people. An individual, even though owns a highly authoritative power, if starts attacking other people on the basis of race, religions, disability and gender, will soon fail to earn respect from the subordinates. The people should be mutually respectful towards other people, failing which an individual, will also not be able to receive the respect that the individual rightfully deserves. In case an employer swears at the employees, and even given sufficient ground, considers the idea of abusing the employees on the basis of their sexual identity or ethnic background, the person will lose control over the employees, who will not bow down before a rude, abusive and degraded individual. It is important to mention here that often people, especially in higher and authoritative position, believe that in order to control the subordinates, it is important to use abusive words and behave rudely. However, even though for some, hate speech can be equated with power and superiority, it is barely so. Each individual is being offered with a choice, and if the individual chooses to use an abusive word, it is the part of the choice one is taking consciously. Often though people argue that it is difficult to control the basic emotions, such as anxiety and rage, and hence feel tempted to use the abusive words, the use of hate speech soon turns into a habit. Once uttered for fun or in a moment of rage may compel one to use the slangs more frequently, even during occasions deemed most unsuitable for the use of s langs words (Rassool, 1998). The abusive words are being used by people who recklessly say something and then deny their responsibility of having hurt other people. Such people not only start behaving in an irresponsible way, but also start losing control over their own emotions as a result of which people enunciate the hate speech at the wrong places and before the wrong people. A person using too many abusive languages tend to lose self-control, and fails to realize the occasion or the context in which one should enjoy the liberty of using the abusive words. As one starts using the abusive words more frequently with other people, the person loses control over ones own temper, vocabulary and also behavior. One fails to control the people around, who no longer feel attracted to the presence of the former but are rather repelled by the way the man conducts himself in public. It is highly important for each individual to act in an empathetic and responsible way, so as to ensure that the words uttered do not harm any individual, and that one is able to control ones own emotions as well as the moods of the people . Bibliography: Fish, S. (1994).There's No Such Thing As Free Speech, and It's a Good Thing Too(1st ed.). Oxford University Press. Geoffrey, H. (2011).Political correctness: a history of semantics and culture.(1st ed.). John Wiley Sons. Jay, T. (2009). Do offensive words harm people?.Psychology, Public Policy, and Law,15(2), 81. Kaye, B. K., Sapolsky, B. S. (2004). Offensive language in prime-time television: Four years after television age and content ratings.Journal of Broadcasting Electronic Media,48(4), 554-569. Rassool, N. (1998). Postmodernity, cultural pluralism and the nation-state: problems of language rights, human rights, identity and power.Language Sciences,20(1), 89-99. Sumner, L. W., Waldron, J. (2013). The Harm in Hate Speech, 377-383.