Language and Culture In many, if not all, instances culture is not beneficial to its subscribers. Inherent within a culture is language. Language itself is very fluid and flexible and can elicit many emotions and feelings within a person or larger group of people. The purpose of this essay is to investigate the social influences of language by describing several issues that deal with interpersonal communication and more specifically the use of language to manipulate, hypnotize and ultimately inspire others. The essay will investigate the issues of jokes, speech laws, and specified slur-words to illuminate the qualities that language brings to society.

Humor is a gift that should be enjoyed by all. Laughing makes us feel good and provides a deeper psychological function. Lickerman (2011) agreed when she wrote "perhaps laughter could be most properly considered as a weapon against suffering and despair. If we can joke about a disappointing or traumatic event, we'll often find ourselves feeling that what's happened to us isn't so bad and that we'll be able to get through it." In our society joking and laughter is the only way that a public discussion can be held on many topics.

As a result of joking and laughter as an important aspect of our way to communicate with one...

Hateful and distasteful humor is abound in all media sources, where our intelligence is continually insulted as an evolved species. Regardless of the content, we choose, or consent to what we hear and experience. It is up to the individual themselves to set their own personal boundaries of taste when dealing with humor. Everyone is entitled to say what they feel is important and taking offense is voluntary.
Issue 2

Hate speech laws are very dangerous and threaten the essence of the American ideal which was founded on freedom of speech. The main problem with hate speech is that hate can be inferred in so many different ways and at its core is impossible to define. Philosophically speaking, hate is not the opposite of love, rather indifference plays this role. Hate as an idea is too flimsy to build laws and regulations upon as, like all language, takes on a fluid and watery meaning due to the infinite applications associated with the word.

Censorship denotes fear and weakness. A strong government, community or organization should not fear words. An old saying suggests that "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." It is time for…