“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” This is a saying you have heard all your life, from parents, to songs. But, have you ever really thought of it? That is wrong. Words and names will hurt, and nothing can stop them from hurting. They hurt people physically, even causing some people to kill themselves, they hurt people mentally, they worry about what everyone thinks about them, and they can cause worldly problems, accidental crashes, or wars. The first example of how words have affected the lives of humans is people actually losing their lives from words said to them. To start, people have died because they have been so hurt from words said to them. Tom Schweich committed suicide from “political bullies” …show more content…
People also can have physical pain from words you spoke. One example of misinterpretation of words is a woman was charged of murdering her daughter because of a note the police found. The detectives found that the daughter either died from “...An asthma attack, from choking on her own vomit, or from suffocating” (Givens). This woman said she loved her daughter and would never want to kill her, but one note that she left on her kitchen counter lead to suspicion that she could be the reason why her daughter died. She may have been depressed that day, and meant no harm, but the police interpreted her words differently than what she meant. Words will and can have a huge affect on people. An example of how people worry about the words said to them because they can take it the wrong way is you could tell someone a joke about themselves, and you could think it’s funny, but they could be self-conscious and think you’re making fun of them. Although you get a laugh out of this, they don’t. Words have multiple meanings and sometimes you and someone aren’t thinking of the same meaning. “Scientists have found that the sting of rejection fires up the same neural pathways as the pain from a burn or bruise” (Raffensperger). Words can cause as much pain as physical pain you experience. This says something. If getting rejected can hurt as much as getting burned, there is a lot of pain and suffering someone …show more content…
Words can be confused,or mixed up when traveling from place to place. A Russian plane crashed, and the reason is still unknown. There is a “war of words” (Nadia) concerning the crash and causes of the plane. This is an example of how an accident can cause words to stir and rise over the event of a plane crash. Now, think about all the wars that all the countries had, or are having. Don't you think some of them got started with words? If someone said something about a country or its leader, and the country gets insulted, the countries might decide to go to war. Britain and America argued with words over the laws and rules they had to follow, and that started the war. In businesses, there are words that cause “wars” in companies or the world of business. One example from the article “Word war causes a stir” by Kara Vickery and Daniel Meers, shows that some people have “Declared war on business” (Kara). Any small word can cause a riot or problem in any sort of event or action. No matter how you are trying to get things out, something will happen, even if it is not meant that way. As shown above, words can create worldly problems, or problems in businesses, either by getting mixed up, or just taken the wrong
In the essay “From Ancient Greece to Iraq, the Power of Words in Wartime” by Robin Tolmach Lakoff, Lakoff discusses the fact that words are a tool as well when it comes to wars. She talks about the differences between our natural want and ability to kill things, and the mental training soldiers receive to make it easier for them. Lakoff talks about the practice of dehumanizing the “enemy” through nicknames that make us feel superior then our foes, and the repercussions of using this type of language. In the essay by George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language”, Orwell talks about the decay of the English language, especially in political writings. He discusses the fact that when it comes to writing, political being the main focus, it’s
are simply meaningless words meant to damage, humiliate and degrade certain groups of people. To prove those words worthless, the same groups of people that those hate words
...at the power of words entailed in the novel, The Book Thief, words really are very powerful. Three examples were given above as a few powers that the novel captured throughout the story. Words can manipulate and divide people, but at the same time connect people. Despite the fact that words have so many contradicting powers, one can use the words to their full extent when their intent is moral. In fact, words are meaningless if it doesn’t have an impact on an individual, society, or world. Words can do both good and bad, however, if one uses them in a proper way, it can result in a positive statement for our world. The novel gives the readers the lesson that we should comprehend the power of words and use words in a moral way. Just remember this: “I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.” (pg. 413)
Words hold great power and when used correctly can influence what people believe and how they act.
Words have quite a powerful impact on an individual’s emotions which therefore affects how that individual views the world around them and themselves. Natasha Rodriguez explains this in her well-written article “Who Are You Calling Underprivileged?” The article explains how Rodriguez received a pamphlet from the college, she had applied for. This pamphlet was given to Rodriguez providing her with vital information about “Help for Underprivileged Students.” The college she was applying for was not aware of what Natasha Rodriguez financial situation was at the time because she had not sent any information to them about it yet which is the main reason why she wrote the article “Who Are You Calling Underprivileged?” She had received this information
Many people believe verbal communication to be a very powerful way of expressing oneself. Words gain there power when the volume is raised and lowered alternatively to make a point. Additionally, the influence of speech can manifest itself in a number of ways. It can be used to humiliate, to intimidate, to flirt and to threaten, all of which are integral and pragmatic strategies to win a power struggle.
... to everyone else's idea about you. Pretty soon, it affects your life in a much larger way than anyone intended it to. Although at times we do it unintentionally, it does not change the fact that an individual can be hurt by a simple word. The author Jane Porter once wrote, "I never yet heard man or woman much abused that I was not inclined to think the better of them, and to transfer the suspicion or dislike to the one who found pleasure in pointing out the defects of another."
...he discrimination and violence that is in the world. Language is not always verbal; it can also be picked up by actions.
...hat social bonds are an inherent necessity to an inclusive and well-functioning society. Without social bonds, individuals will likely become socially isolated, alone and marginalized especially if they are not part of the hegemonic culture. Thus, the feelings of isolation will lead them to egoistic suicide. Consequently, those individuals which are part of the problem, such as school administrators are perpetuating bullies to continue harassing their victims. A living without direction, such as a bully may feel as if they are, too, living life without purpose therefore leading the bully to anomic suicide.
Images such as pictures dominate words because they can relay messages in a clear and succinct manner. The purpose of being able to communicate in the most effective way possible is to spread knowledge and information. However, when miscommunication becomes a factor and a problem, the quality of the knowledge being relayed becomes tainted. Stephens has found that images are a way to remedy this. He reasons that because “primates are visual animals, and think best in pictorial or geometric terms,” humans need images in order to fully explain and/or understand a concept (480). Unfortunately, the Nazis understood the power of this theory. Churchill found that while spreading anti-Semitic propaganda, the Nazis drew “grotesque caricatures of Jewish faces” (498). Immediately, messages of inferiority and hatred spread throughout Germany. Even without words, such pictures had a profound effect. It influenced “average Germans to later indulge in the outright liquidation of Jewish ‘vermin’” (501). Even though images were used negatively, it is clear that they have a deep effect on people’s perception and understanding. Words, however, cannot have the same effect. Because abstract words and emotions such as hate require “a deep understanding,” they “can be put into images but are difficult to put into words” (Stephens 480). Therefore, images remain dominant over words because a single picture can depict complex emotions that no word or group of words can accomplish.
for it to be construed as offensive. I would hope that a person in this
Have you ever wondered who taught you to talk the way you do? People learn to talk and express themselves everyday of their lives. Starting from the day you were born you used language or some form of it to communicate with those around you. As a baby you usually show your displeasure with your new surroundings by crying, and if you don’t the doctor will make sure you do. Everyday we express our point of view to others in some form of language. Whether it is through verbal communication, written discourse or through body language, you can tell if a person is upset, angry, or happy. We as human beings don’t realize how much language has to do with our lives. How can you determine if one of your friends is angry with you? Is there a different tone to their voice? Do they have a stern look on their face? Of course they do, your friend feels the need to express their anger to you by these different forms of language. Where do we learn to use these different forms of language? How are our uses of these languages shaped? The three main contributing factors to how we express ourselves through language come from our schooling, our friends, and most of all from our families.
Most people think that power is yelling, forcing people to do things , being harsh, or causing fear; but to me the power is knowing how to use language and when. It’s knowing the right time to show love, or fear. If all the leaders knew how to use the power of language to lead the people we wouldn’t have so many revolutions throughout history. Language is all we need to communicate with people. it can be the most powerful weapon, it can bring war or peace. It can break or build a country, it can make you the strongest leader ever born or a nobody neglected by the rest. Language is the most powerful tool created, and it 's fascinating how everyone of us uses it to their advantage. We can manipulate people so easily
Hate language and bullying behavior are seen all over the world among people of all ages. Even though the United States has an amendment known as freedom of speech, there is a line that people cross when hate language and bullying are involved. This behavior happens so often that sometimes people misinterpret it. For example, people might take the usage of hate language as a joke, but in reality, it is hurtful to people and can damage people’s lives. Mary R Harman and Marilyn J Wilson, explain in chapter four in Beyond Grammar Language, power, and the classroom, that hate language and bullying behavior affects people in a destructive way, and it happens so often that people need to be aware of the hateful behavior.
Verbal abuse, talking about others, judging others also part of this. This damages others, and it’s hard not to do this because everybody does it but just because everybody does doesn’t make it right.