Answer to "The Power of Words in Wartime"

1. Lakoff says that words have the power to change peoples opinions of their opponents. In wartime words have the ability to dehumanize the enemy in order to make it easier to kill them.

2. I agree with Lakoff's opinion about the power of words. Words can cause much more damage and have longer lasting power than any other the weapon of man, because words can direct where those weapons are pointed.

3. This essay is about both language and war and how they relate to each other. Lakoff is pointing out the importance of language, and how strong a power it has to affect peoples thoughts and feelings. And at the same time she is talking about war, and the role that language plays in such times.

4. I think Lakoff's use of the word inevitable is too strong. Although the "linguistic habits" of soldiers may predispose them to degrading their enemies it does not make torture inevitable. Ultimately individuals are responsible for their actions and can not blame language for their choices.

5. I think her target audience is Americans. She adds the additional countries to illustrate that this a global reaction in times of war and is not exclusive to the American mindset.