A Persona-based Semantics for Slurs

Abstract

This paper presents a new style of semantic analysis for (some) slurs: linguistic expressions used to denigrate individuals based on some aspects of their identity. As an illustration, the author will focus on one slur in particular: dyke, which is generally considered to be a derogatory term for lesbians. The author argues that not enough attention in the literature has been paid to the use of dyke by members of the target group, who can often use it in a non-insulting manner; secondly, the author argues not enough attention has been paid to the use of the “neutral” form, lesbian, which is generally treated as having a simple, clear meaning, such as “engage[s] in same-sex sex” (Jeshion, 2013a, 312). Following McConnell-Ginet (2002), the author argues that taking into account all the uses of both dyke and lesbian requires a new semantics and pragmatics for both terms. More specifically, the author proposes that dyke and lesbian are associated with different sets of personae: abstract identities or stereotypes. Dyke is associated with an anti-mainstream persona, which the vast majority of speakers views negatively; whereas, lesbian is associated with a mainstream persona, which many speakers view favourably. The author proposes that the semantic puzzles associated with dyke and lesbian can be resolved through the combination of a theory of these personae and a theory of how listeners’ beliefs about their interlocutors’ ideologies affect utterance interpretation.

Who Reclaims Slurs?

“…Although targetism is a widespread assumption in the literature (see, e.g. Anderson and Lepore, 2013; Burnett, 2020; Popa‐Wyatt, 2020), we argue here that it merely approximates the correct extension of the phenomenon – of who does actually reclaim slurs. Such a restriction to in‐groups, widespread as this may be, impedes further research into the more complex conditions that need to be in place for successful reclamation, not only in the case of in‐groups but, more generally – as we will say – in the case of authoritative users of a slur in a given context.…”

Insults according to notions of intelligence: Perspectives from education and newsmedia

“…Slurs have also been described as prohibited words, whose uses are offensive if those prohibitions matter to you (Anderson & Lepore, 2013). More generally slurs are described as expressions which derogate a particular group, defined by an intrinsic property and subordinating them within some structure of power relations, whose use invokes a set of externally determined, culturally, and historically situated attitudes (Davis & McCready, 2020); they denigrate individuals based on an aspect of their identity, placing them within an ideological space, with the potential to affect our expectations of them or our responses toward them (Burnett, 2020). In using slurs, even if they are aimed at a single individual, all members of the named group are potentially harmed by their use (Diaz Legaspe, 2018).…”

A rich-lexicon theory of slurs and their uses

“…Importantly, I don't think that what is known as "the reclamation worry", originating in remarks by Anderson and Lepore 2013a and further discussed by quite a few authors (Ritchie 2017;Cepollaro 2017;Anderson 2018;Burnett 2020;Jeshion 2020) is a real problem for semantic views that appeal to ambiguity. In a nutshell, the problem Anderson and Lepore see is that mere postulation of ambiguity leaves a host of questions unanswered, such as who is allowed to use a slur in an appropriated manner, who is excluded from doing so, and why is that so.…”

“…Arguably, it cannot contain merely a subjective-expressive componentthat would not properly differentiate slurs from other types of expressions (e.g., expressives like "jerk" or "asshole"). I take the EVALUATIVE dimension to contain elements of a more social nature, such as stereotypes (Williamson 2009), perspectives (Camp 2013) or ideologies (Burnett 2020) that ground the negative evaluation of the target group by users of a slurs. The stereotype associated with "țigan" for example, is something like "lazy, thief, unwilling to respect social norms etc.…”