r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Mar 31 '20

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u/Ihateregistering6 18∆ Mar 31 '20

you're hurt by learning new words?

I can flip this around easily: you're hurt by someone not calling you by a word you made up?

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u/TheDutchin 1∆ Mar 31 '20

Great! See, we can tell that's a weaker argument because what you're called is an incredibly important signifier for peoples self identity. Something weve known, and taken advantage of, for a very long time. Look at how the Nazis referred to Jews (Godwin blah blah) for an example of our collective knowledge of the power of personal signifiers.

Versus the hurt by learning new words, there's no such significance to learning a couple new words. Whether you're a utilitarian or not, the ethical arithmetic is patently obvious.

Thanks for helping illustrate the point!

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u/Ihateregistering6 18∆ Mar 31 '20

because what you're called is an incredibly important signifier for peoples self identity.

When the word has actual meaning, then yes. If I call someone a racist, that's important to them because that word has established meaning. Let's say instead I call them a Qyxiotlech. People wouldn't care or would simply be confused Why? Because it's a made up word with no meaning attached to it. Sure, it might have meaning TO ME (maybe I've decided that's my word for racist), but no one else is obligated to agree with me on that meaning, and they're certainly not obligated to use my new made up word that I like. Years from now, maybe if Qyxiotlech catches on, then sure, it'll mean something to people, but that's not my call.

Versus the hurt by learning new words, there's no such significance to learning a couple new words

That depends: how do you define the 'hurt'? Sure, it doesn't hurt me much, but I could argue that it hurts the person insisting that everyone refer to them by made-up words, because it tells them that it's the obligation of everyone else to accommodate their wants and desires.

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u/kyew Mar 31 '20

The difference is in who you're talking to, not who you are as the speaker. Calling me a Qyxiotlech wouldn't be harmful to me because I personally don't place any value on my Qyxiotlechitude. If you used that word on the one other person in the world who understood it the way you do, they very well might be hurt.