5 ms·

Language isn't about beating people over the head about "mis-using" words, it's about conveying meaning. https://www.thoughtco.com/descriptivism-language-term-1

by gleenn 6y ago

Language isn't about beating people over the head about "mis-using" words, it's about conveying meaning. https://www.thoughtco.com/descriptivism-language-term-1690441 https://www.thoughtco.com/descriptivism-language-term-169044... I'm going to make an argument for linguistic descriptivism. I've never once thought, in the WSB subreddit, someone calling another an "autist" or a "retard" was ever intended to harm or disrespect people with those literal issues. It's a niche audience with very specific meaning. As a linguist, I find it fascinating and aptly descriptive frankly. As a person who knows people with actual mental problems, I understand why it may be distasteful. However I strongly feel that when you enter that subreddit, the jargon is both incredibly obvious and specific.

didibus 6y ago
I'm curious to know what is the meaning trying to be conveyed here which would not be received negatively by people with actual autism or caring for one?
- nindalf 6y ago
  Turn off the audio and read the subtitles on this - https://old.reddit.com/r/wallstreetbets/comments/kxmyg5/cant_stop_wont_stop_gamestop/ https://old.reddit.com/r/wallstreetbets/comments/kxmyg5/cant... You probably recognise this scene from The Wolf of Wall Street. The text uses “degenerate”, “autist” and so on but the whole text and di Caprio’s manner strongly implies that these are positive, desirable qualities. He uses them as terms of endearment and compliments. The rest of /r/wsb is the same. Context matters.
IfOnlyYouKnew 6y ago
„Retard“ has evolved and is universally regarded as an insult these days. Denying this entirely obvious fact is rather hard to square with your claim of being a linguist. The science tends to take a more descriptive approach, and to acknowledge the changing nature of language.
- shard972 6y ago
  language isnt science retard
- mssundaram 6y ago
  I think that they are saying it's similar to how the n-word has evolved - out of the right context it's very insulting (and more) but in certain situations it's appropriate, accepted and encouraged.
- remarkEon 6y ago
  The OP's explanation is correct. The word "retard" being "universally regarded as an insult these days" is just straight up not accurate - on that sub or otherwise. I don't count myself as a linguist but have learned "get around in an emergency" in a few languages and have studied the history of language a bit, and it's very common for words to absorb new meanings in different contexts. As others have pointed out, "retard" is an anagram of "trader".
- mdni007 6y ago
  > „Retard“ has evolved and is universally regarded as an insult these days. Denying this entirely obvious fact is rather hard to square with your claim of being a linguist. what exactly are you basing this "fact" on?
  - TeMPOraL 6y ago
    This "fact" is not, in fact, a fact. GP is engaging in the act of forcing intersubjective reality - basically willing this "fact" into becoming an actual fact. This is becoming increasingly common in discourse these days, and noticing it is the key to understanding the various non sequiturs and other abuses of logic made in arguments that try to classify random stuff as offensive. Unlike in the physical world, in the social world, if enough people are forcefully claiming something is a fact, it becomes a fact. That's why it's even more important socially to combat such abuse of reasoning than it is in hard sciences. You can't make gravity disappear because you really believe humans are capable of levitating. But you absolutely can make acceptance, due process and individual freedoms disappear if enough people strongly insist some other people are saying the wrong things.
nsator 6y ago
> I've never once thought, in the WSB subreddit, someone calling another an "autist" or a "retard" was ever intended to harm or disrespect people with those literal issues. What you said is purely annecdotal and it's a big assumption to think you know other people's thoughts and intents are. Fact is they are popularizing hate speech to a growing audience and its not ok. Period.

by gleenn 6y ago

didibus 6y ago

I'm curious to know what is the meaning trying to be conveyed here which would not be received negatively by people with actual autism or caring for one?

nindalf 6y ago
Turn off the audio and read the subtitles on this - https://old.reddit.com/r/wallstreetbets/comments/kxmyg5/cant_stop_wont_stop_gamestop/ https://old.reddit.com/r/wallstreetbets/comments/kxmyg5/cant... You probably recognise this scene from The Wolf of Wall Street. The text uses “degenerate”, “autist” and so on but the whole text and di Caprio’s manner strongly implies that these are positive, desirable qualities. He uses them as terms of endearment and compliments. The rest of /r/wsb is the same. Context matters.

IfOnlyYouKnew 6y ago

„Retard“ has evolved and is universally regarded as an insult these days. Denying this entirely obvious fact is rather hard to square with your claim of being a linguist. The science tends to take a more descriptive approach, and to acknowledge the changing nature of language.

shard972 6y ago
language isnt science retard
mssundaram 6y ago
I think that they are saying it's similar to how the n-word has evolved - out of the right context it's very insulting (and more) but in certain situations it's appropriate, accepted and encouraged.
remarkEon 6y ago
The OP's explanation is correct. The word "retard" being "universally regarded as an insult these days" is just straight up not accurate - on that sub or otherwise. I don't count myself as a linguist but have learned "get around in an emergency" in a few languages and have studied the history of language a bit, and it's very common for words to absorb new meanings in different contexts. As others have pointed out, "retard" is an anagram of "trader".
mdni007 6y ago
> „Retard“ has evolved and is universally regarded as an insult these days. Denying this entirely obvious fact is rather hard to square with your claim of being a linguist. what exactly are you basing this "fact" on?
- TeMPOraL 6y ago
  This "fact" is not, in fact, a fact. GP is engaging in the act of forcing intersubjective reality - basically willing this "fact" into becoming an actual fact. This is becoming increasingly common in discourse these days, and noticing it is the key to understanding the various non sequiturs and other abuses of logic made in arguments that try to classify random stuff as offensive. Unlike in the physical world, in the social world, if enough people are forcefully claiming something is a fact, it becomes a fact. That's why it's even more important socially to combat such abuse of reasoning than it is in hard sciences. You can't make gravity disappear because you really believe humans are capable of levitating. But you absolutely can make acceptance, due process and individual freedoms disappear if enough people strongly insist some other people are saying the wrong things.

nsator 6y ago

> I've never once thought, in the WSB subreddit, someone calling another an "autist" or a "retard" was ever intended to harm or disrespect people with those literal issues. What you said is purely annecdotal and it's a big assumption to think you know other people's thoughts and intents are. Fact is they are popularizing hate speech to a growing audience and its not ok. Period.