Crafting language, defining self: part 2

Since mid-February I have been laying the ground work for my look at creating new gender terms in queer communities* (here, here, here, and here). Today I will be examining in greater depth what some of the implications of creating oneself through language can be. "Can" is significant here, for I am looking at what may be possible with a conscious attempt of self-creation; much work has already been done on how language shapes people on an unconscious level, I want to take the conversation in a new direction, one which most people may never take. If we consider that language does shape people, particularly words which imply identity, then why not use such words as a tool to purposely shape ourselves?

Similar to positive self-affirmation and choosing positive perceptions of life's events over negative ones, choosing the words we use to identify ourselves has the potential to change our self-perception and self-understanding, hence, how we experience our daily lives. You could theoretically use language to create a happier existence for yourself!

Now, before anyone starts rolling their eyes, accusing me of some crazy, pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo, let me clarify that last paragraph! No, you cannot become a superhero by calling yourself one. But moving from calling oneself "useless" to "valuable employee" or "good student" is a common therapeutic strategy for changing self-perception. A change in focus can help effect a change in self-perception and consequently behavior as well.

This is what lies behind politically correct terminology, for example: retarded became mentally handicapped which became mentally challenged, in each case becoming less demeaning for those referred to. In the queer world, "gay" is not demeaning the way "fag" is. Identifying with more positive words promotes a healthier sense of self, better self-esteem.

It seems likely that this may be one part of the driving force behind the mushrooming of gender terms within queer communities. Terms currently in existence may hold too much negative baggage, or simply not enough positive reinforcement, for those who choose to create these new terms. These individuals are seeking to define themselves and have found existing options unsatisfactory. They are creating new terms to convey to themselves and the world who they feel they are. The potential for self-creation lies within these instances of language creation, whether the creator is aware of it or not. My question is, can we intentionally harness that potential to help shape ourselves in whichever direction we wish to grow?



*For convenience, I use the term "queer communities" to refer to all groups, organizations, and people in general who do not consider themselves strictly heterosexual and/or heteronormative. "Queer," as noted in a previous footnote, is a controversial term, but I have not yet encountered a substitute that could be used to cover all these groups without sounding as clunky and in need of detailed elaboration as "non-hetero-normative," my other option.