COM 321 week 2 Discussion 2

Ashford 3: – Week 2 – Discussion 2

Language and Attitudes

According to the Sapir-Whorf   hypothesis, we think through language. The words we use to talk about the   world reinforce our attitudes and, occasionally, our prejudices. Changing our   language to eliminate offensive language, many argue, may change our   attitudes as well. At the very least, becoming aware of the biases in   language practices may make us more sensitive to the feelings of those who   are the targets of these biases. Thus, we try our best to avoid sexist and   racist language by substituting new, more “politically correct” usage. Do you   think that language affects thought and behavior? Does changing our language   make a significant change in the way we think and behave? Have some efforts   to be more politically sensitive gone too far? We say, “Sticks and stones may   break my bones, but words will never hurt me? Can words hurt? Respond to at   least two of your fellow students’ postings by Day 7. (You must create one   initial post and at least two responses, for a minimum of three posts for   this discussion.)