Zur Multi-Akt-Semantik der Ethnophaulismen
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Maria Paola Tenchini
Abstract
This article aims to advance a theory of the semantic status of ethnic epithets able to account for their use in acts of verbal aggression. The starting point of the analysis is the use in discourse of the epithet Zigeuner, which identifies mainly the traditional “nomadic” Roma and Sinti people in a derogatory way. In this paper, the current approaches to the topic ethnophaulism, and slur in general, are considered and some of their drawbacks are illustrated. A solution based on the speech-act theory is then advanced. On this view, by uttering e.g. Zigeuner in a declarative sentence, a speaker performs two different speech acts: a representative one corresponding to that performed by means of the sentence containing the neutral counterpart of “Zigeuner” (i.e. member of the Roma or Sinti people) and an expressive one, by which the speaker expresses her/his contempt toward Roma and Sinti people. This approach explains why the uttering of a sentence containing an ethnic slur always conveys a derogatory content (apart from their “appropriated” use in certain contexts), independently of the sets of stereotypes, (negative) images, emotions or prejudices a speaker can associate to them over time. The defended theory is thus in line with those which consider the connotative meaning of ethnic epithets as semantically expressed and part of the linguistic meaning.
Abstract
This article aims to advance a theory of the semantic status of ethnic epithets able to account for their use in acts of verbal aggression. The starting point of the analysis is the use in discourse of the epithet Zigeuner, which identifies mainly the traditional “nomadic” Roma and Sinti people in a derogatory way. In this paper, the current approaches to the topic ethnophaulism, and slur in general, are considered and some of their drawbacks are illustrated. A solution based on the speech-act theory is then advanced. On this view, by uttering e.g. Zigeuner in a declarative sentence, a speaker performs two different speech acts: a representative one corresponding to that performed by means of the sentence containing the neutral counterpart of “Zigeuner” (i.e. member of the Roma or Sinti people) and an expressive one, by which the speaker expresses her/his contempt toward Roma and Sinti people. This approach explains why the uttering of a sentence containing an ethnic slur always conveys a derogatory content (apart from their “appropriated” use in certain contexts), independently of the sets of stereotypes, (negative) images, emotions or prejudices a speaker can associate to them over time. The defended theory is thus in line with those which consider the connotative meaning of ethnic epithets as semantically expressed and part of the linguistic meaning.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Inhalt V
- Einleitung: Sprachliche Aggression beschreiben, verstehen und erklären 1
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Teil I: Zum Ausdruck verbaler Aggression
- Was sind aggressive Sprechakte? 35
- On the strength of explicit and implicit verbal offences 51
- The offensiveness of animal metaphors 73
- Aggression in Banter 89
- Aggressiv oder supportiv? 123
- Offene und versteckte Aggression im Gebrauch von Dysphemismen und Euphemismen 145
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Teil II: Verbale Aggression in Praxisfeldern
- Kommunikative Gewalt in der Psychotherapie 171
- Ist Fehlerkorrektur im Fremdsprachenunterricht ein aggressives Verhalten? 209
- „Von Ihrer Bewerbung können wir keinen Gebrauch machen“ 219
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Teil III: Hassrede und Ideologie
- Zur Multi-Akt-Semantik der Ethnophaulismen 245
- Kulturhistorische Blicke auf die Sprache des Dritten Reiches und die antisemitische Hassrede 269
- „Um den Schädling zu vernichten” 289
- Implizite Aggression in Onlinekommentaren anlässlich der Debatte um rassistische Sprache in Kinderbüchern 305
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Teil IV: Inszenierungen verbaler Aggression
- „Doing aggressive 2.0“ 331
- The leader’s voice and communicative aggression in social media 357
- Politische Clowns in Klartext-Manier: Expressivität und Aggressivität in Zeiten transnationaler Öffentlichkeit 377
- Verbale Aggression in parlamentarischen Debatten 401
- Verbale Aggression im Realsozialismus und ihre Literarisierung 425
- Inszenierte Aggression in poetischer Sprache 447
- Autorinnen und Autoren 471
- Namen- und Sachregister 479
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Inhalt V
- Einleitung: Sprachliche Aggression beschreiben, verstehen und erklären 1
-
Teil I: Zum Ausdruck verbaler Aggression
- Was sind aggressive Sprechakte? 35
- On the strength of explicit and implicit verbal offences 51
- The offensiveness of animal metaphors 73
- Aggression in Banter 89
- Aggressiv oder supportiv? 123
- Offene und versteckte Aggression im Gebrauch von Dysphemismen und Euphemismen 145
-
Teil II: Verbale Aggression in Praxisfeldern
- Kommunikative Gewalt in der Psychotherapie 171
- Ist Fehlerkorrektur im Fremdsprachenunterricht ein aggressives Verhalten? 209
- „Von Ihrer Bewerbung können wir keinen Gebrauch machen“ 219
-
Teil III: Hassrede und Ideologie
- Zur Multi-Akt-Semantik der Ethnophaulismen 245
- Kulturhistorische Blicke auf die Sprache des Dritten Reiches und die antisemitische Hassrede 269
- „Um den Schädling zu vernichten” 289
- Implizite Aggression in Onlinekommentaren anlässlich der Debatte um rassistische Sprache in Kinderbüchern 305
-
Teil IV: Inszenierungen verbaler Aggression
- „Doing aggressive 2.0“ 331
- The leader’s voice and communicative aggression in social media 357
- Politische Clowns in Klartext-Manier: Expressivität und Aggressivität in Zeiten transnationaler Öffentlichkeit 377
- Verbale Aggression in parlamentarischen Debatten 401
- Verbale Aggression im Realsozialismus und ihre Literarisierung 425
- Inszenierte Aggression in poetischer Sprache 447
- Autorinnen und Autoren 471
- Namen- und Sachregister 479
