The Effects of Hostile Language and Its Connection to Physical and Verbal Violence
- Gasam Rabat
- May 3
- 7 min read
By Edrisa Sanyang
At a local school, a nine-year-old goes on a rampage, pouring paint over school
desks, computers and printers, and vandalizing a car in the school parking lot. The reason: some third-grade classmates called him a “baby” and he wanted to
impress them. [Daniel Goleman _ Emotional Intelligence]. On April 7, 1994, a genocide broke out in Rwanda, though stemming from the
events of their colonial past -- its spread was accelerated through radio stations
when hosts dehumanized the Tutsis, calling them cockroaches and encouraging
the Hutus to murder, rape and take the properties of their Tutsi neighbors
arousing anger and later these aforementioned physical violence. These are just a few examples of the effects of hostile language from the basic
level (of leading to Emotional breakdowns, and low self-esteem, etc.) to the
extreme (where it may lead to the outbreaks of escalating conflicts). What is hostile language?
In my researches throughout the internet, I haven’t came across a solid definition
of what hostile language is. However, the only things I found were; examples of it
in work places and some explanatory statements of what hostile language could
look like, how to identify it and the various names it may take like, aggressive, vulgar, profane, abusive language, the list goes on. In short, there currently is no
standard definition of what hostile really is. The word Hostile according to the Cambridge dictionary, is an adjective defined
as; unpleasant or not suitable for living or growing: this can be releated to many
things such as climate, workplace etc. Language from the same dictionary is defined as; a system of communication
consisting of sounds, words, and grammar:
In short, I term hostile language as any form or system of communication that is
unpleasant or not suitable for living or growing: e.g. expressing one’s feelings, needs, and rights without any regard or respect for the needs, rights, and feelings
of others. From the opening chapter of a book I red, titled How to Disagree without being
Disagreeable by Suzette Haden Elgin; and I quote: “We are surrounded by language, everywhere we go and in everything we
do, just as surely as we are surrounded by air. Even when we are alone
and in silence, we keep up a steady stream of internal self-talk. Language
isn’t just sounds and symbols and shapes. It’s not just an “artifact” like a chair or a spoon. It is a human environment, and it brings with it all the
qualities—and all the problems and responsibilities—that go with that
status.” Language is a powerful tool that shapes our thoughts, influences our emotions, and guides our actions. However, when language turns hostile—characterized by
aggression, contempt, and derogatory remarks—it can have profound and
damaging effects on individuals and societies. Hostile language not only impacts
the emotional and psychological well-being of those who are targeted but also
has a significant connection to both verbal and physical violence. Understanding
these effects is crucial for fostering healthier communication and reducing
violence in our communities. Understanding Hostile Language
Hostile language encompasses a range of expressions, including insults, threats, hate speech, and derogatory comments aimed at an individual or specific groups
based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. This type of
language can create an environment of intolerance and division, where
aggression is normalized and individuals feel justified in expressing their anger
or frustration through harmful words. The prevalence of hostile language in
various contexts--such as media, politics, and everyday interactions--raises
important questions about its impact on society. Hostile Language on our Health
The effects of hostile language extend beyond immediate emotional responses. A
study by Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England) on the impacts of workplace
verbal aggression conducted a longitudinal survey with 800 workers in
wholesale and retail companies;
Results
The follow-up rate was 63%. Exposure to words threatening one’s life showed a significant
relationship with the risk of depression (odds ratio [OR] = 13.94, 95% confidence interval
[CI] = 1.76–110.56). Exposure to words criticizing one’s job performance is significantly related
to the risk of sleep disturbance (OR = 5.56, 95% CI = 2.08–14.88). Conclusions
These findings suggest that different contents of verbal aggression can have different impacts on
workers’ health. This indicates that not only overtly threatening and abusive language but also
words related to one’s performance can be a risk factor for workers, depending on how they are
delivered. To mitigate the adverse effects, promoting effective communication and cultivating
psychological detachment from work may be beneficial. Exposure to aggressive language can lead to increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem among individuals. For instance, children who experience bullying or derogatory remarks may internalize these negative
messages, leading to long-term psychological issues. The emotional toll of hostile
language can create a hostile environment, where individuals feel unsafe or
unwelcome, ultimately affecting their mental health and overall well-being. Hostile Language and Verbal Violence
Verbal violence is a direct manifestation of hostile language. It includes
aggressive communication that aims to harm or intimidate others. This form of
violence can take many shapes, from shouting and name-calling to more subtle
forms of manipulation and coercion. The impact of verbal violence can be
devastating, leading to emotional trauma and strained relationships. In many
cases, verbal violence serves as a precursor to physical violence, as individuals
who feel empowered to use aggressive language may also feel justified in
resorting to physical aggression or in some cases, lead to emotional hijacking of
the victim. Emotional hijacking is a concept coined by psychologist Daniel Goleman in his bestselling
book (Emotional Intelligence), referring to an intense emotional response that is triggered
suddenly and takes over a person’s thoughts and actions. It is characterized by a rapid and
overwhelming emotional reaction that bypasses rational thinking and can lead to impulsive
behavior or irrational decisions. During an emotional hijacking, the amygdala, the part of the
brain responsible for emotional processing, takes control and overrides the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for logical reasoning and decision-making. Like the Chinese say "The tongue is like a sharp knife. It kills without drawing
blood.” Verbal abuse leaves no visible scars, but the emotional damage to the
inner core of the victims can be devastating. The Connection to Physical Violence
The relationship between hostile language and physical violence is well- documented. Studies have shown that exposure to violent media, including
music, movies, and video games that feature aggressive language, can desensitize
individuals to violence and increase aggressive behavior. For example, a research
conducted by American Psychological Association on 500 college students; found
that violent song lyrics increase negative emotions and thoughts that can lead to
aggression, in a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Personality
and Social Psychology (Vol. 84, No. 5). Moreover, hostile language can escalate conflicts, leading to physical
confrontations. In heated situations, individuals may resort to aggressive
language as a means of asserting dominance or expressing frustration. This
escalation can quickly spiral out of control, resulting in physical violence. For
instance, road rage incidents often begin with hostile language exchanged
between drivers, which can lead to dangerous confrontations.
Societal Implications
The effects of hostile language extend beyond individual interactions; they can
shape societal norms and values. When hostile language is prevalent in public
discourse, it can contribute to a culture of violence and intolerance. Political
rhetoric that employs aggressive language can incite division and hostility
among communities, leading to increased polarization and conflict. This
phenomenon is particularly evident in contemporary political landscapes, where
hostile language is often used to rally support or demonize opponents. Furthermore, the normalization of hostile language in media and entertainment
can perpetuate cycles of violence. When individuals, especially young people, are
exposed to aggressive language in popular culture, they may come to view such
behavior as acceptable or even desirable. This normalization can hinder efforts
to promote peaceful conflict resolution and foster understanding among diverse
groups. Hostile Language at its Extreme
Hostile language as its becomes hate speech. Hate speech has varying definitions, from various international institutions. It is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary
as "public speech that expresses hate or encourages violence towards a person
or group based on something such as race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation". The UN considers hate speech any kind of communication, verbal, written or
behavioral, that is hostile or uses derogatory or discriminatory language against
any person or group of people on the basis of who they are, or, in other words, on
the basis of their religion, ethnic origin, nationality, race, skin color, social origin, gender and other identity factors. In the UN Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Hate Speech, UN Secretary-General
António Guterres emphasizes that “combating hate speech does not mean
limiting or prohibiting freedom of speech. It means preventing hate speech from
escalating into something more dangerous, especially incitement to
discrimination, hostility and violence, which is prohibited by international law.” Despite all these information, our use of language will have an impact in our
societies; whether it will be a positive or a negative one, will have to be
something we need to work on as individuals and as a collective. If we check throughout our history, we can clearly see that the use of language is
what led to some of the major tragic incidents in our history, like the Holocaust, which was propagated through hostile language and hate speech. The Rwandan
genocide in 1994, which was also propagated and escalated through hate speech. And those of our recent times like the Rohingya and Gaza Genocides which are
still being propagated through hate speech through the media, resulting to a
surge in negative emotions of the masses, then leading to a widespread of
violence.
To conclude, language in it’s hostile form-- has far-reaching effects that can manifest in both
verbal and physical violence. The psychological impact of aggressive language
can lead to emotional distress and strained relationships, while its connection to
physical violence underscores the potential for escalation in conflict situations. As a society, it is crucial to recognize the power of language and its ability to
shape our interactions and communities. Eliminating hostile language in our
societies and communities will ensure us great security, better health, success
and prosperity by promoting respectful communication, preventing the arousal
of violence and conflicts. By addressing the harmful effects of hostile language, we can work towards creating a more peaceful and inclusive society. Know that wars and other forms of conflicts doesn’t just appear in thin air, it all
begins with our use of language, the words we use as individuals and as a society
at large. So the next time you think about saying something hostile to anyone, I
implore you to take a moment and think about the consequences of the words
you are about to utter. “Life is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel.” HORACE WALPOLE
Internet Sources
Cambridge Dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › language
Oxford Journal; Occup Med (Lond)
. 2024 Feb 12;74(2):186–192. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqae009
Emotional Hijacking: https://psychologyfanatic.com/emotional-hijacking/
Annals of Human and Social Sciences (AHSS):
https://www.ojs.ahss.org.pk › article › download
American Psychological Association:
Trauma Surg Acute Care Open
. 2022 Oct 26;7(1):e000973. doi: 10.1136/tsaco-2022-000973
Comments