The summary introduction of the Journal of Language Aggression and Conflict states that aggression can be realized through language. While I agree, I have made the observation that through binaries and archaic elements, languages themselves are in part imminently discriminatory. I will just mention the example of derogatory expressions towards minorities, of lexic and grammatical logic.

Verbalization is hence not only, unidirectionally and monocausally, an expression of psychological or social disgruntlement. Rather, language as such bears cultural features which are not always helpful. Even this text can be perceived as bad by who holds language to be utterly positive.

Through the principles of appreciative and peaceful communication, we can render our wording more constructive. The solution is to overcome binary thinking and generalizations. (Whereas the term ‘overcome’ may be a bit much, not to mention ‘solution’…) We should place importance on valuing others, whereas valuing is not to be understand economically, and on education with the aims of appreciation of the richness of cultures, and of our fellow people.

To conclude, our language should in part be reinvented, or modernized. Until then, let us try to be polite and respectful.

Thorsten Koch, MA, PgDip
January 2020

Our domains:

https://www.counter-terrorism.org
http://www.counter-radicalisation.org
http://www.counter-radicalization.org
http://www.anti-radicalisation.org
http://www.anti-radicalization.org
http://www.no2extremism.net

[responsivevoice_button voice=”UK English Female” buttontext=”Listen to Post”]