LINGUICISMO E POTERE - DISCRIMINARE ATTRAVERSO LA LINGUA

Language is a human ability that manifests and influences our lives in various ways, therefore the language we speak and how we speak it can be a cause of discrimination, and this mechanism is what is defined as linguicism. The author discusses the current linguistic discriminations through examples and stories from multiple countries around the world with a specific focus on Italy. An accent, a language, or a dialect, can impact the ability to rent a house or get a job, leading to a certain judgment for those who speak them, as in the case of the problematization of only the dialects of southern Italy stemming from anti-Meridionalism; they can be a cause of judicial discrimination, ultimately it is through language that the innocence-guilt of the accused person is testified or decreed. Knowing or not knowing a language is related to the economic sphere, non-English-speaking countries invest large sums in teaching English and from an academic point of view, those who conduct research but are not native speakers spend significant amounts of money on translations or language courses to ensure the publication and recognition of their studies. From a geopolitical perspective, a language can become the main point of debate and struggle for the independence of a territory, as in Catalonia. And of course, the author also focuses on the theme of inclusive language and gender discrimination, which is also manifested through speech, not for biological reasons but for social expectations. This text is a fundamental starting point for reflecting on linguicism, its implications, and the injustices that occur every day simply because when speaking, one does not reflect a standard that has been socially imposed over the years.