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Add to FavoritesThe genesis of every word gives it a denotation, that defines its meaning and usage. Over time, as cultures and their language changes, the denotations of words can shift as well. Gay is a good example of a word whose denotation has changed, in part, to mean something very different. The meaning of words, however, alters depending upon the connotation given the word by the context of its use. Whether spoken or written, various factors play into the context of a word that shape its connotation. During wartime or national crises, for example, patriotism takes on an inflated connotation that can additionally signify justice, moral right, bravery, and good character; during times of political scandals, patriotism can come by more sarcastic connotations that it would not even hint at in the public eye during wartimes.
So, connotation is context-specific (though it can be generalized upon), while denotation is more concrete. Words that are created and used with wholly negative denotations, such as racial slurs like chink, spick, and nigger, are forever tainted by negativity. Words can be created and use, such as the added denotation of gay to the word "fag" (which is both a meatball creation and a cigarette in the UK), may not be as wholly negative, but are generally used negatively. These both lead to a similar, but differently shaded, conclusion.
Words created with negativity as a denotation are forever tainted by it. The first african-american slaves that were called "nigger" were being regarded with a degrading word. The negativity in the word's use was ingrained, branded into it by the denotation given to it. These days, its denotation has been further altered in some uses to refer to other black speakers by a black speaker. The connotation in such cases is often one of kinship. But has the word lost its negativity? If a non-black speaker says "nigger", even if the connotation is one of kinship, they most often receive a very negative reaction; the word itself is denotatively negative, even if the connotation is positive.
Other words are more "grey" in their connotations and denotations; "fag" has other meanings than simply "gay person". The original use of "fag", however, was a negative one, and it is used by many with a negative connotation. Spoken, it is can be "you dirty gay person that I hate" just as it can be "you gay person I like and identify with." The connotation varies. But when the positive connotation is used, the negative denotation is still understood. It is widely known that "nigger" and "fag" are derogatory, even if they are being used in less negative connotations. The negativity lingers, still, its meaning branded into the word.
Despite positive connotations used with such negative denotations, the negativity holds on regardless. By making light of the term, or using it jokingly, both homosexuals and african-americans can say "nigger" and "fag", respectively, and gain some freedom from its negativity. By using it positively, they can smile or laugh at its use, even though it is said hatefully toward them by others. But this use of the word only confirms its negative meaning and the negativity surrounding it; the denotation is inescapable.
As long as the negative denotation of a word exists, the word will hold a negative meaning, and cannot be used without confirming the negativity in its denotation. Only when all negativity is gone from a word's denotations - a slim prospect - can it be used without a hint of negativity tainting it.
Learn more about this author, Dimitri Davis.
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Yes
I am only an observer in this particular argument, however, looking at the larger picture of insults connected with race or behaviors I find that stereotyping insults usually find their way to identification and acceptance.
Take "bitch" as an example. When I was growing up in the 1960s my father used this term for any women in his business (journalism) that was competitive and assertive. Women and men alike were extremely put off by this behavior. It was considered antisocial, as a woman, not to be soft and feminine and duplicitous to manipulate your environment (and your men).
In the ensuing years feminism swung one way, then another, balanced itself out in it's current rendition, and women have come to not only accept but also identify with this term as powerful. "She's a true bitch," we say and mean that we admire her for the balls it takes to confront a situation without caving. Men haven't changed all that much and are often still threatened by bitch behavior, but our vision of ourselves as strong women created pride in the term.
As an observer, again, we can discuss the use of the "N" word (but I can't write it out here). Suffice it to say that there is a little more debate about it's accepted use than my above example, however, in my opinion, it also has evolved within the black culture to be both accepted and used with pride and identification in certain circles and circumstances.
Slang homosexual terms have evolved since my father's day. Some were straightforward ugly, but others were just confusing. In the years since, I'm still more confused by how these insults are chosen. There aren't many insults that are so cheerfully associated in my mind as those for homosexuals: fairies, rainbows and gaiety in general just don't have teeth. So, I imagine it would also have to be the term used and it's context that would be the deciding factor in feeling insulted.
My teen children call each other and various situations and things "gay". When I first began hearing this I took it literally and wondered how a poster or a lamp or a chair could be "gay' since there is no sexuality associated with these objects. If we were speaking another language that associated gender with objects, I might have been less confused.
Anyway, I was surprised at the term's constant use in their vocabulary. When they use it this way it means something not acceptable or bad, however, these same kids don't think actual homosexuality or bisexuality is "bad" at all.
Would I be insulted if I was gay and the lamp was also accused of being gay in my presence? Depends if it's a nice lamp or not.
Learn more about this author, Heidimarie Densmore.
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Difference of opinion? Debate now.
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