There is some debate in vegan circles over how “practical” it is to consider issues of language.  I believe that thinking about language issues is very useful because it allows us to understand speciesism and veganism more holistically, helping us to more fully understand the problems we face and the world we want to create.  With the title “Toward vegan language,” I don’t mean to suggest “increased requirements” for vegans.  (I tend not to understand veganism as a set of requirements in the first place.)  What I’m suggesting is that we can put our language to use to help us achieve the goal of liberation for everyone.  We can align our language with the vegan ideal in the same way that we align our diets with the vegan ideal.

Language = categorization = meaning

My understanding is that language affects—sometimes bluntly, sometimes more subtly—how we see the world.  With language, we categorize our experiences: “small” things, “fun” things, “bad” things, “wise” things, and so on.  These categories have consequences.  Every day we make decisions based on what fits into our “good” category, our “food” category, our “people” category.

For example, I think a lot depends on whether or not the word (category) “ethical” implies an equal distribution of power.  I think a lot depends on whether the word (category) “egalitarian” means equality for all species or just for humans.  I think a lot depends on whether a chicken is a “someone” or a “something.”

While writing this post, I found myself using individual words to point out the impact of other individual words.  I wrote: “Whether we say ‘our’ or ‘your’ determines whether we’re with or against the people we speak to.”  So if this discussion seems a bit messy, I hope you receive that as merely evidence:  Language and meaning are helplessly intertwined.  If you change the way a thing is said, you change what is said.

(If you’re interested in personally researching the interplay between language and thought, some starting points are linguistic relativity, linguistic determinism, and in a basic way, Saussure’s “Course in General Linguistics.”)

Language & ideology

As foregrounded in the above section, I think our language can help spread speciesism or help stop speciesism.  Our pronouns communicate a lot about other animals.  Do we say “it” and “that thing”?  Or do we say “she” and “that individual”?  Phrases like “They’re just animals” allow people to hurt other animals without feeling conflict.

Transphobia and sexism can be, like speciesism, spread through our pronoun usage.  By habitually using “he”—“A boss does his work”—we suggest that only men ever do anything important.  By habitually using “he or she” or “she or he,” we suggest that there are only two valid, acceptable genders.

Ableism, fat-phobia, and heterosexism are, like speciesism, often spread through insults.  When we call someone “stupid,” “fat,” or “gay” as an insult, we suggest that those characteristics are bad or unacceptable, or that those characteristics somehow make a person less worthy of respect.  Veganism, for me, is about extending respect to all.

Language & hierarchy

If we’re not careful, our language can create hierarchy.  This is especially true when writing about ethics.  I’ve written before about my experience with “should” thinking.  “Should” thinking is based on obedience.  If we say, “You should go vegan”—especially if we say it with conviction—we establish a relationship where we are attempting to dominate the other person.  We demand that the person obey our command: “You must support this cause!  It’s a moral imperative!”  This is an attitude of coercion.

As an artist, I’ve been guided by the quote, “There is no must in art because art is free” (W. Kandinsky).  This logic seems sound to me:  If you “must” do something, then you don’t have a choice, so you aren’t free.  I think we can apply this quote to our vegan practice: “There is no must in veganism because veganism is free.”

Language & respect

Instead of creating hierarchy, our language can facilitate respectful conversation.  As Victor has noted, the use of inclusive pronouns (“we,” “our”) can be a gesture of respect.  This is an active step toward extending respect toward all.  We can, with our language, establish relationships with others that are more equal.  Sometimes, thinking that we’re important activists with an important cause, we might give off a tone of elitism or, as mentioned above, dominance.  Being conscious about our language, however, helps us to stay open to everyone.

I think being attentive to our use of language is rewarding many times over.  Aside from presenting pictures and video, language is the medium through which we express our reasons for being vegan.  I think trying to change our world without changing our language is, at best, working against the grain.  At worst, it might be dooming ourselves to failure.

Further reading: