Language awareness and philosophical limits of communication

Language & Community

How Language Circumscribes the World and Defines Community

The famous philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein wrote, "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world." Wittgenstein used his language to make this profound statement packed with a depth of meaning. Language, whether it is written language, spoken language, body language or sign language, is a fundamental aspect to the human condition. Language permits us to communicate with others, which is also a vital part of being human. Language also makes possible thought, speech, and writing. Without language, it would be exceedingly difficult for people to have relationships. Language comes in various forms and in huge varieties. Language additionally is a critical and prominent aspect to the definition of a culture. Every culture and subculture has characteristics that distinguish it as such; language is a characteristic at the forefront of defining or circumscribing cultures and communities. This paper will reflect upon an instance when a former co-worker of mine, in efforts to participate in a subculture, embarrassed herself and alienated people who once called her a friend.

About a year and a half ago, I had a part time job working with autistic teenagers. It was mainly sitting with them while they did their assignments, or playing video games with them during free time. Sometimes I would have to supervise them as they got a drink from the water fountain or went to the bathroom. The main purpose of the job was to be a supportive staff member to the head teacher, therapists, and be a sort of older sibling to the kids at the school, even though I was not much older than some of them. Some of them were my age and older, but because of their disorder, they had to be placed into Special Education or alternative high schools, like the one where I worked.

Many of the teachers and assistants were friendly to each other. We would socialize after school when the kids went home, and sometimes went out together at a bar/restaurant next door to the school. There were many different kinds of people who worked there: Caribbean, European, Asian, Caucasian, homosexual, bi-sexual, single, married, engaged, etc. Thus, there was a great deal of crosscultural interaction, most of which was very pleasant and really interesting. One day after the kids got on the busses to go home, several of us congregated in one of the teacher's classrooms: his named was Robert. Robert is African-American. Daniel was also there: he is Caucasian and has a Dominican fiancee. Carmen was there, too, and she is Puerto Rican and Colombian. Tierra was also there and she is African-American, too. Finally, Hemendra, who is Guyanese Indian with a Caucasian wife and David, who is also Caucasian and had a black girlfriend, was there, too -- and of course, me.

We were all talking and laughing casually, probably venting about the day, when Monica, the art teacher entered the room. She is Israeli. By that time, most of us had worked together for at least a year, and even if not, we were becoming a fairly tightly knit group. Monica was very popular and attractive. She walked in during our conversation and because of how the tables were arranged and how we were situated in the room, she only saw the African-Americans who happened to be fairly close together. She walked in the room cheerily and said, "What's up, my niggas?" The room fell silent. People rolled their eyes, or their eyes bugged out of their heads, and some people could not maintain any eye contact with anyone. Needless to say, it was an awkward moment. We knew that Monica's intention was not to be racist. She also assumed that "nigga" was a word with which all African-Americans were comfortable. She first assumed that the only people in the room were black, although, in the 21st century, I have heard people of all races refer to themselves and others of their ethnicity by that word. She made a mistake by relying on assumptions. I have known African-Americans who use the word freely and gratuitously; I have also known African-Americans who have never uttered the word in their lives and become deeply emotional when it is used around them.

Looking back, the black people in the room were the most calm. They politely yet firmly explained that Monica needs to be very careful when using that word because first of all, we were in the workplace. There are different rules in the outside world than in the workplace. They did not seem offended; they seemed more annoyed or embarrassed that she used that phrase as a way to ingratiate herself into the group or conversation. Daniel got pretty upset. He said she had no right to use that word because she is not black and Daniel was a white guy that was very much into African-American culture. David asked if she was going to use that language around his girlfriend. Hemendra laughed, but not so much because of what she said, but where she said it. Tierra asked her very nicely to never use that word around her and told her that if she wants to be friends, she should just be herself. Robert just stared at her blankly.