Semiotics anyone?

[Liar]

I hate the word nigger

Phonetically, I rather like it. It has a rather round and active feeling to it when pronouced. Gets the tongue working but not too much.

Semantically, it's pretty neutral. An identifier of a specific.

Semiotically, and more importantly contextually, it sucks

 

[Stella_Omega]

*snickers*

I have nothing to add at this time other than a true appreciation for some of these posts (and not just the one I quoted!). Fundamental/structural studies are always noble endeavors. To hate that is like wishing everyone were simple and uninquisitive (or just constantly, distractingly horny). Time and a place, man...

Well, I do wish everyone were constantly, distractingly horny.

Are you saying there's something wrong with that?

 

[CharleyH]

Semiotically, and more importantly contextually, it sucks

You can sing nigger in pop culture, but somehow not imagine it is part of pop culture when you sing it. One must own a word like 'nigger' or 'dyke' to be powerful. I think black men especially ('cuz I know ebony babes do) don't get it. My take. My experience. Dyke is a power word ... why is the word 'nigger' even still in our vocabulary?

 

[Stella_Omega]

...Dyke is a power word ... why is the word 'nigger' even still in our vocabulary?

Because it's a power word, a taboo word...

 

[CharleyH]

Because it's a power word, a taboo word...

Dyke is not taboo? It is a derogatory word often enough amongst us who are ... yet we turn it to a power word ... Even still, after all these years, rap cannot change the Confederate meaning of the N word. WHY?

If we all said the N word - I doubt it would be powerfully demeaning. Maybe that is the point of rappers who sing it? (sing enough and a word loses meaning?) Semiotically, of course.

 

[Liar]

You can sing nigger in pop culture, but somehow not imagine it is part of pop culture when you sing it.

Not sure what you mean there, I see it as a word that is very much part of pop culure, on many different levels. From derogation to empowerment if it's taken literally, and something entirely different if used on a meta level, in humor, or debate.

Words don't have to be benevolent to be strong. Nigger is a strong word because of its history, but today mostly because of its domain dependent nature.

The point of rappers who sing it is not to make it less derogatory for white people to use it. Quite the opposite, they use it in a very specific context that noone out of ther group can enter, in order to own it. It's territorial pissings of a word, so that they can deny anyone else from using it. It crystallizes their culture and polarizes it againt others.

Semiotics, meet sociolinguistics.

 

[CharleyH]

Not sure what you mean there, I see it as a word that is very much part of pop culure, on many different levels. From derogation to empowerment if it's taken literally, and something entirely different if used on a meta level, in humor, or debate.

Words don't have to be benevolent to be strong. Nigger is a strong word because of its history, but today mostly because of its domain dependent nature.

The point of rappers who sing it is not to make it less derogatory for white people to use it. Quite the opposite, they use it in a very specific context that noone out of ther group can enter, in order to own it. It's territorial pissings of a word, so that they can deny anyone else from using it. It crystallizes their culture and polarizes it againt others.

Semiotics, meet sociolinguistics.

If popular culture is too afraid to use a word like nigger - how powerful is the word to those who do use it? The moment the N word becomes as useless as the word DYKE or FAG ... is the moment I will rejoice.

 

[Stella_Omega]

If popular culture is too afraid to use a word like nigger - how powerful is the word to those who do use it? The moment the N word becomes as useless as the word DYKE or FAG ... is the moment I will rejoice.

I join you in that sentiment

 

[CharleyH]

I join you in that sentiment

I think I love Europe because there are no harsh derogatory words for anyone ... well, at least that I know of ...

 

[CharleyH]

Bump to get back on the semiotic trail. Did anyone get further than Saussure, yet?

 

[Stella_Omega]

Too busy writing for the common man- and talking with people

 

[CharleyH]

Too busy writing for the common man- and talking with people

AH sigh. Semiotics is my thing. SIGH again. back.

 

[Liar]

If popular culture is too afraid to use a word like nigger - how powerful is the word to those who do use it?

For the reasons I mentioned, very. It sets them aside, gives them identity, which is what they wish.

The moment the N word becomes as useless as the word DYKE or FAG ... is the moment I will rejoice.

Indeed. I don't dig either way it's used today (or ever, I guess).

Bump to get back on the semiotic trail. Did anyone get further than Saussure, yet?

Which one is that? It's been a while since I did the theory bit and names are all over the place in my head. Other stuff is there now, tugging at my attention. Derrida for instance. Probably the most trippy shit ever written. My head is spinning.

 

[CharleyH]

For the reasons I mentioned, very. It sets them aside, gives them identity, which is what they wish.
Indeed. I don't dig either way it's used today (or ever, I guess).
Which one is that? It's been a while since I did the theory bit and names are all over the place in my head. Other stuff is there now, tugging at my attention. Derrida for instance. Probably the most trippy shit ever written. My head is spinning.

Did I ever say I was in love with you? I must have at one point!!! BUMP