The practice of linguistic nonviolence

Abstract

As should be obvious, “linguistic nonviolence” is the antonym to “linguistic violence” as “peace” is the antonym to “war.” Whether or not we are conscious of their effects, altered terminology and changed descriptions can comfort and even advantage us. Language can comfort us when used to affirm diversity and achieve recognition. During one stage of the civil rights struggle, the phrase “Black is beautiful” came to express a growing sense of pride and self‐affirmation among African Americans. Some feminists, responding to the lack of symmetry in designating all men as “Mr.” and women as either “Miss” or “Mrs.,” coined “Ms.” as an alternative that facilitates more symmetrical titles for gender when adults are addressed in a formal manner. Phrases and terms such as these can advantage a social group even if its members do not always recognize the consequences of these linguistic changes.