I agree with Hornsby on the people who use "derogatory words" do not necessarily express hatred, although it is the case sometimes. I can add even more examples from other situations on top of the ones in the article. For instance, the word "nigger", or typed as "nigga" nowadays, are commonly used to mean something good, especially within the people with color. I have some black and Latino friends, who call each other "my nigga", and I see things like "only love niggas" on my Facebook newsfeed all the time. I have to admit that I do have friends warning me do not use this word (just in case I am a FOB/fresh out of a boat and thus do not know the cultural norms) because I am not black or Latina/the ones can use this word. Still, I have Asian American friends who grew up in the black community use the word "nigga" comfortably. As "whore" is the negative version of the word "prostitute", it seems okay to call a girlfriend "my dirty little whore" sometimes (in "you know" kind of situations).
I do not agree with Hornsby though, on her definition of "derogatory words" though. I particularly do not agree with her practice of using Oxford dictionary as sort of justification. Yes, dictionary "defines" meanings of words in common sense, but not in the discussion of the philosophy of words. Dictionaries usually are revised once in a while, but the way we interpret languages should be something timeless and universal. I also do not agree with her using "uselessness" to call derogatory words. I admit that when I say "I fucking love chocolate," I never indicate there is something sexual between me and chocolate, nor I am angry at/hate chocolate, still this sentence somehow indicates a different level of love than merely say "I love chocolate." It emphasizes the word "love" in fact in this particular sentence. Here is a good example why I think some derogatory words are not useless: http://www.lionking.org/~mirri/Intro/TAFTMGUOTWFIASS.htm
I have something more like a question than an objection for Hornsby: when people use those sensitive words instead of the neutral versions, they can say they do not intend to offend others. Also, there are always people offended no matter what you say. Just see any popular Facebook posts and try to find one without any negative comments! So are the people who use the language or the people who hear it the ones deciding if it conveys hatred? If the intention decides, then it is like saying one always knows himself/herself the best, which is not always the case (e.g. you go to see a psychologist).
In the end, I have to share a sentence from a meme I saw yesterday on Facebook (well, it might not be relevant but totally related), "when you say f**k instead of fuck, God still knows what you mean, and he thinks you are a pussy." Meow~~
I do not agree with Hornsby though, on her definition of "derogatory words" though. I particularly do not agree with her practice of using Oxford dictionary as sort of justification. Yes, dictionary "defines" meanings of words in common sense, but not in the discussion of the philosophy of words. Dictionaries usually are revised once in a while, but the way we interpret languages should be something timeless and universal. I also do not agree with her using "uselessness" to call derogatory words. I admit that when I say "I fucking love chocolate," I never indicate there is something sexual between me and chocolate, nor I am angry at/hate chocolate, still this sentence somehow indicates a different level of love than merely say "I love chocolate." It emphasizes the word "love" in fact in this particular sentence. Here is a good example why I think some derogatory words are not useless: http://www.lionking.org/~mirri/Intro/TAFTMGUOTWFIASS.htm
I have something more like a question than an objection for Hornsby: when people use those sensitive words instead of the neutral versions, they can say they do not intend to offend others. Also, there are always people offended no matter what you say. Just see any popular Facebook posts and try to find one without any negative comments! So are the people who use the language or the people who hear it the ones deciding if it conveys hatred? If the intention decides, then it is like saying one always knows himself/herself the best, which is not always the case (e.g. you go to see a psychologist).
In the end, I have to share a sentence from a meme I saw yesterday on Facebook (well, it might not be relevant but totally related), "when you say f**k instead of fuck, God still knows what you mean, and he thinks you are a pussy." Meow~~
I think what you said in agreement to Hornsby may actually answer your question. Potentially offensive words such as "whore" and "nigga" can be seen as fine in the case that they have been used to express something different from their current usage or they have been desensitized by some other means. As for a popular Facebook post, it may be the case that someone uses a neutral word like "chair" to degrade someone else so whenever they see this word they are reminded of the degrading use of "chair" and thus take offense. It all depends on the tight social spheres of word usage.
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