Topic 1 Language Matters

Language matters and can have profound effects on an individuals’ sense of belonging, self-efficacy, and identity. Sometimes we use language that slightly invalidates someone else, even with our best intentions. We all make mistakes and may lack awareness of the way our words may affect those around us. We also all have unconscious biases that influence how we interact with one another. One of the ways that these biases can manifest is in our language, through the use of micro-aggressions. No doubt, all situations involving language and bias are complex, but a thoughtful exploration of micro-aggressions is currently warranted, because micro-aggressive language may be a key variable that is influencing the experiences, persistence, and even personal success.

Language is actually a coded pattern of communication and as such a part of culture as well as society itself. By changing the coding in the language, i.e. by changing the social reality, the pattern of mutual communication also changes. In this sense, it is necessary to stress the increasing importance of awareness of social literacy.