Whether Use/Mention Is a Valid Distinction in Addressing the Problem of N-Word and The Possibility of Hidden Implicature

Abstract

This paper focuses on the issue of the n-word, investigating whether there is a justified, proper scenario under which the taboo word can be uttered. Given the word’s negative impact on people’s psychological health, there is a loud call to prohibit it from appearing in TV shows, podcasts, radios, newspapers, and all forms of media. The word should simply never be uttered by anyone who is non-black, under all circumstances and contexts. Based on this situation, thinkers such as Kevin Cokley and John McWhorter try to analyse the problem and give their own theories in explaining and addressing the issue. Their arguments are presented in this paper. McWhorter’s use/mention distinction will be the centre of discussion. The distinction is specified and analysed in the argumentation section to examine whether it is a valid standard in addressing the issue. Opinions of other thinkers and objections to the use/mention distinction are also critically evaluated. The analysis and evaluation of the opinions refute the possibility that there is an implicature in the mention of n-word, which further illustrate the validity of the use/mention distinction. The paper ends by concluding that the use/mention distinction is a valid standard in addressing the issue of the n-word and it is unreasonable to think there are implicatures in the mention of n-word.