Oppressive Speech and Society

This volume offers a set of theoretical frameworks for understanding the relationship between oppressive speech and the social structures within which it operates. Central to the volume is the fact that oppressive speech doesn’t just harm the target during a conversation; it serves to establish and maintain oppressive norms and structures.

The chapters in this volume examines how linguistic acts can have adverse social effects. Additionally, it considers the linguistic and nonlinguistic actions that can undo or prevent conversational and social harms. The chapters are divided into three thematic parts. Part I explains the nature of slurs. These chapters define their conceptual boundaries, forms, and linguistic patterns, as well as the mechanisms via which conversational harm is brought about. Part II considers how oppressive speech changes social norms, establishes oppressive norms, and how long-term harm and cumulative harm emerge. Finally, Part III focuses on response and remedy, considering the actions available to speakers and hearers in addressing and countering oppressive speech.

Oppressive Speech and Society will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working at the intersection of philosophy of language and social and political philosophy.