Look Who's Talking!

Amiri Baraka essay deals with how speech is linked to our cultural background and its social aspects. Words exude power, a well spoken person is revered is seen as educated, influential and perhaps wealthy. Whereas, a person who uses incorrect grammar, local slang will be perceived as uncouth or illiterate and ill informed about the world, and therefore will not be in a position to command respect. It is often our inability to speak the language of another country that causes a gap in understanding a different culture which leads to suspicion and misunderstanding. As the article explains, the Blacks bought as slaves were unable to speak English and therefore were termed as “heathens.” In modern terms when the US invaded Iraq they called the people who resisted their occupation as insurgents, whereas the locals who supported these so called insurgents called them freedom fighters. Words are also important in their rhythm and syntax as discussed in the article. Accent again shows social hierarchy and what tone, volume and emphasis plays an important role in what is being expressed. Further, one word can have many definitions depending again on the culture. The most striking example of this is the United States and the United Kingdom, two nations divided by a common language. American English and the Queens English have many common denominators, but at the same time many striking differences. I remember when I first moved to New York asking a lady for the changing room, when she thought I wanted to exchange my purchase when I was in fact looking for the trial room to try on my outfit!!  Language is very much like a morse code or a genetic coding, if we change even one letter it can have serious ramifications. For example even a typo; Bessie not coming can become Bessie now coming just by switching a letter.

            Language is all powerful and has many serious connotations. An insult thrown at a group of people can bring on a war, not just of words but physically. We need to understand the power of words and think before we speak of any ramifications Communication with each other is how the world operates and functions and we need to respect and not abuse this most powerful of tools.