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Perception of Language
After reading Christine Leong’s essay, “Being a Chink”, in The Brief Bedford Reader, I am
surprised that language can be such a powerful tool in connecting relationships and
identifying the differences among individuals in communities with cultural, ethnic, regional
and socio-economic perspectives. Language is like the water in the seas that is capable of
floating and sinking a boat. Depending on the way language is being expressed, it has a
power to eulogize or to humiliate; it is able to construct our diverse society peacefully
and united or to draw unpleasant and adverse lines among different ethnicities.
However, most of the time, as Christine Leong stated, “The power of language is something
that people often underestimate” (Leong 414). Frequently, some people tend to use a form
of language to attack and humiliate “others” that are not their own kinds. Unfortunately,
they might not be successful in achieving such attempts. The form of their repulsive and
discriminated language is able to unite “others” into a special group. In this social circle,
“others” understand each other and value their uniqueness. Most important, they speak the
common type of language and share the common civilization. Language is one of our
ancestors’ concrete and enduring wealth. It was not created to cause conflicts in the daily
life. Language was developed to express and communicate. With a better understanding
of language, human civilization could be linked together and continue to exist.
On the other hand, “Names and labels are what separate us from each other” (Leong 414).
Christine stated strongly in the essay and tried to protect her father as she haphazardly
found the word “Chink” written on the old MidLantic envelope when she was cleaning out
the storage area under the cash register. Her strong and oppositional feelings suggested
that an angry customer might have applied this word “Chink” to discriminate against her
father, who was a restaurant owner in a suburban area where there were only two Asian
families. The dysfunctional consequences of misusing a language may become severe or
influential enough to create unpleasant associations regionally. Most awfully, these
consequences affect the relationships between different countries globally. Because of
the malefic and discriminating language, pains, sorrows and conflicts were generated.
Meanwhile, the interesting question is worth consideration. Since every society has social
stratification where some people have more money, schooling, health and power than others,
how do people gain names and labels? Is it determined by the sins of their birth or by the
way and style they choose to live? Under what conditions are we comparing and what’s the
justification of being right and wrong? If this is the case, then social stratification is not
just about inequality in resources, but also in beliefs. Living in such kind a society,
someone hardly can imagine peace and liberty. From the essay, “Being a Chink”, Christine
Leong suggested there was no physical evidence that “names and labels” have connection
with the way these people determine to live their lives nor what they are capable of
accomplishing, but instead, these labels and names are established based only on
appearances (416). Since human characteristics and language do not have any connections,
we should not use language to discriminate.
It is certainly crucial, rude and inappropriate for those who are not African American to
address a black person by nigger. However, this sensitive term can be commonly
expressed and assembled among black folks to delegate their resonance, similarities, and
friendships. As from the essay, “Being a Chink”, Christine Leong and those Chinese
Americans frequently address each other by the word “Chink” in an innocuous and harmless
way without insults and degradation. According to them, the word is a loving expression or
endearment (Leong 416). They named each other this way to illustrate and to respect the
common characteristics they both have in possession. These properties could be their
common shape of eyes, color of skins, and delicate features that others (who are not
Chinese Americans) would disagree and ridicule. The word “Chink” was also used as a
symbol to overcome humiliation that others had imposed on them. It is amazing to observe
people in a rigid culture, civilization who come together to dispute and clarify such
mortification. These types of integrated power have repeatedly carried out the ability to
overcome numerous complex and difficult situations in human history. One recent example
was The Rodney King Riot of Los Angeles in 1992, where black people protested in various
locations of the city to protect their human rights.
Inadvertently, we often or occasionally call our love ones, friends or family members by
some types of names. Geek, nerd, fresh-of-boats, and rice-boy are the most often and
ordinary names we can hear in our daily lives. Optimistically, we may choose to believe
these names were inoffensive. However, these sensitive words may be destructive and
harmful according to others’ definition. In recognizing the consequence of misusing
certain type of language, human beings are able to prevent conflicts among each other.
Originally, language is one of the most beautiful and useful tool invented in human
civilization for communication. “It is the one thing that allows people to communicate with
each other, to be understood, to be heard” (Leong 414). But without a decent practice, it
can be used as a tool to damage, hurt and to separate us from each other. Especially in this
diverse society, United States, where there are many different kinds of cultures,
misunderstanding and misinterpretation can occur easily. On the other hand, because of
these differences, we are able to learn from each other.
There are many different kinds of languages globally worldwide, including Chinese,
English, Spanish, Italian, German, Korean, Japanese and many more. Therefore, language is
also a diverse and broad subject that requires many years of learning and practicing to
master. Perhaps, the ability to express thoughts and ideas in a form of language is the
main and leading approach in distinguishing the unique, distinctive characters of human
beings from animals. With the assistance of language, we are able to express our thoughts
and opinions. We are able to promote peace among various cultures and improve the daily
lives.
I certainly have rights to believe, human beings’ aspiration is to pursue happiness and
stability. So, let us study and reach a common language to overcome the communication
barriers and boundaries. With the words of language, a name of respect, and a better way
for communication, we can establish and achieve our goals together!
Work Cited
Leong, Christine. “Being a Chink”. The Brief Bedford Reader.
Eds. Denise B. Wydra, Karen S. Henry. Boston, MA:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. 414-7
After reading Christine Leong’s essay, “Being a Chink”, in The Brief Bedford Reader, I am
surprised that language can be such a powerful tool in connecting relationships and
identifying the differences among individuals in communities with cultural, ethnic, regional
and socio-economic perspectives. Language is like the water in the seas that is capable of
floating and sinking a boat. Depending on the way language is being expressed, it has a
power to eulogize or to humiliate; it is able to construct our diverse society peacefully
and united or to draw unpleasant and adverse lines among different ethnicities.
However, most of the time, as Christine Leong stated, “The power of language is something
that people often underestimate” (Leong 414). Frequently, some people tend to use a form
of language to attack and humiliate “others” that are not their own kinds. Unfortunately,
they might not be successful in achieving such attempts. The form of their repulsive and
discriminated language is able to unite “others” into a special group. In this social circle,
“others” understand each other and value their uniqueness. Most important, they speak the
common type of language and share the common civilization. Language is one of our
ancestors’ concrete and enduring wealth. It was not created to cause conflicts in the daily
life. Language was developed to express and communicate. With a better understanding
of language, human civilization could be linked together and continue to exist.
On the other hand, “Names and labels are what separate us from each other” (Leong 414).
Christine stated strongly in the essay and tried to protect her father as she haphazardly
found the word “Chink” written on the old MidLantic envelope when she was cleaning out
the storage area under the cash register. Her strong and oppositional feelings suggested
that an angry customer might have applied this word “Chink” to discriminate against her
father, who was a restaurant owner in a suburban area where there were only two Asian
families. The dysfunctional consequences of misusing a language may become severe or
influential enough to create unpleasant associations regionally. Most awfully, these
consequences affect the relationships between different countries globally. Because of
the malefic and discriminating language, pains, sorrows and conflicts were generated.
Meanwhile, the interesting question is worth consideration. Since every society has social
stratification where some people have more money, schooling, health and power than others,
how do people gain names and labels? Is it determined by the sins of their birth or by the
way and style they choose to live? Under what conditions are we comparing and what’s the
justification of being right and wrong? If this is the case, then social stratification is not
just about inequality in resources, but also in beliefs. Living in such kind a society,
someone hardly can imagine peace and liberty. From the essay, “Being a Chink”, Christine
Leong suggested there was no physical evidence that “names and labels” have connection
with the way these people determine to live their lives nor what they are capable of
accomplishing, but instead, these labels and names are established based only on
appearances (416). Since human characteristics and language do not have any connections,
we should not use language to discriminate.
It is certainly crucial, rude and inappropriate for those who are not African American to
address a black person by nigger. However, this sensitive term can be commonly
expressed and assembled among black folks to delegate their resonance, similarities, and
friendships. As from the essay, “Being a Chink”, Christine Leong and those Chinese
Americans frequently address each other by the word “Chink” in an innocuous and harmless
way without insults and degradation. According to them, the word is a loving expression or
endearment (Leong 416). They named each other this way to illustrate and to respect the
common characteristics they both have in possession. These properties could be their
common shape of eyes, color of skins, and delicate features that others (who are not
Chinese Americans) would disagree and ridicule. The word “Chink” was also used as a
symbol to overcome humiliation that others had imposed on them. It is amazing to observe
people in a rigid culture, civilization who come together to dispute and clarify such
mortification. These types of integrated power have repeatedly carried out the ability to
overcome numerous complex and difficult situations in human history. One recent example
was The Rodney King Riot of Los Angeles in 1992, where black people protested in various
locations of the city to protect their human rights.
Inadvertently, we often or occasionally call our love ones, friends or family members by
some types of names. Geek, nerd, fresh-of-boats, and rice-boy are the most often and
ordinary names we can hear in our daily lives. Optimistically, we may choose to believe
these names were inoffensive. However, these sensitive words may be destructive and
harmful according to others’ definition. In recognizing the consequence of misusing
certain type of language, human beings are able to prevent conflicts among each other.
Originally, language is one of the most beautiful and useful tool invented in human
civilization for communication. “It is the one thing that allows people to communicate with
each other, to be understood, to be heard” (Leong 414). But without a decent practice, it
can be used as a tool to damage, hurt and to separate us from each other. Especially in this
diverse society, United States, where there are many different kinds of cultures,
misunderstanding and misinterpretation can occur easily. On the other hand, because of
these differences, we are able to learn from each other.
There are many different kinds of languages globally worldwide, including Chinese,
English, Spanish, Italian, German, Korean, Japanese and many more. Therefore, language is
also a diverse and broad subject that requires many years of learning and practicing to
master. Perhaps, the ability to express thoughts and ideas in a form of language is the
main and leading approach in distinguishing the unique, distinctive characters of human
beings from animals. With the assistance of language, we are able to express our thoughts
and opinions. We are able to promote peace among various cultures and improve the daily
lives.
I certainly have rights to believe, human beings’ aspiration is to pursue happiness and
stability. So, let us study and reach a common language to overcome the communication
barriers and boundaries. With the words of language, a name of respect, and a better way
for communication, we can establish and achieve our goals together!
Work Cited
Leong, Christine. “Being a Chink”. The Brief Bedford Reader.
Eds. Denise B. Wydra, Karen S. Henry. Boston, MA:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. 414-7
