A Study on Distinguishing between Using and Mentioning Derogatory Words- Taking the N-word as an Example

Abstract

There has been a heated discussion on saying the N-word. Due to the history of slavery, the N-word has been carrying a derogatory meaning towards black people and it is used to put black people and white people into an inferior and superior position. There are many derivatives of the N-word and the meaning of it has changed from time to time which leads to the controversial situation of this word. Some people hold the view that the N-word should be banned and no one has the right to say it under any circumstances while other people think that people should realize the difference between using and mentioning the N-word. Mixing the use/mention may result in other kinds of discrimination. Therefore, based on Grice’s meaning and Tirrel’s language games theory, this paper analyzes the difference between use and mention and what consequences people may face if the use and mention are mixed.