The Value of a Name in The Language of Oppression by Haig Bosmajian

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The Value of a Name in The Language of Oppression by Haig Bosmajian

In Haig Bosmajian's essay, "The Language of Oppression," he speaks of the value of a name. "To receive a name is to be elevated to the status of a human being; without a name one's identity is questionable." A human being is defined by his name. Without a name no one knows who he is, for he has no identity. However, a name can also be "used as a curse." Language can lead to the dehumanization of human beings and can ultimately lead to their extermination. As Bosmajian says, "Just as our thoughts affect our language, so does our language affect out thoughts and eventually our actions and behavior." When the Nazis took over the Jewish population, they were only able to accomplish this through the use of oppressive language. They re-named Jews as "bacilli," "parasites," "disease," "demon," and "plague." Because of the implementation of these names, people began to believe the Nazis, and the extermination of "six million human beings" was viewed as a "Final solution." Language affects all aspects of our lives. Language and names can inspire us and motivate us but can also belittle us. As Stokely Carmichael said, "...people who can define are masters." When a person is given the power to change one's name and identity and to define, they are given the powers of a master, and therefore are seen as a leader. Bosmajian wants this oppressive language to stop. He wants the belittlement of humans, caused by their differences, to cease. Clearly, the only way to do this is to rebel against the use of these words and eliminate the categories they create.

Santha Rama Rau illustrates Bosmajian's point in her essay, "By Any Other Name." She speaks of her...

... middle of paper ...

...ply be objects that looked different. However, we do have names, and they have been used in the past and present to harm us. In Santha's story, we read of her

experience as a young girl in school. Not only did the abuse of her name cause her pain, but also it caused the entire Indian society its reputation. This oppressive language has been used for many years, and continues today. I, as a young girl in junior high school, experienced the hurt of linguistic oppression. I went through a lot of confusion and pain because of the abuse of my name. Will this oppression ever stop? It is almost a tradition now, and traditions aren't easily broken. Bosmajian wants the oppressed to stand up for themselves and stop this abuse. However, as he points out, "the resistance usually comes from the oppressor…" The oppressor will not give up the power of defining others.

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