The Power of Words in Wartime

1. According to Lakoff, words psychologically allow the opposing group to seem unhuman and therefore acceptable to kill. Words give the power to kill. An interesting point Lakoff makes- "The use of the language developed for military purposes by civilians reassures them that war is not murder."
2. Lakoff has a point that language attribues power to war, but it is the persons choice weather or not to act on those words. If you think it is wrong to kill a German soldier, but okay to kill a "gook," that is your choice. If someone calls you a mongrel, it is your decision to kill them because of a name. I think the words contribute to the amount of self control you have. If you have to rename someone to harm them or to justify harming them, maybe you should rethink your actions. You shouldn't be harming another person to begin with.
3. This essay is primarily about war. When language is used to harm someone in any way, language is war. Lakoff is describing the power of the words we use during wartime and how these words justify murder. We use different terms or names for those we kill because we need to justify why "war is not murder." If we aren't killing something human, then it can't be murder. Right? Wrong.
4. I agree with Lakoff. Granted, she could be exaggerating a little, but these soldiers are ending the life of another human as a career. When you work for months or years at a time, who's to say that they don't get caught up in the job? When your job is to emotionally and physically abuse someone, eventually there has to be a breaking point. Someone snaps mentally and goes psycho- they decide to enjoy their job. Sick.
5. I'm not sure why this question is asked. Lakoff made it clear in the beginning of the essay that Americans are called names and victims of the power of words. I actually like that she started out talking about how Americans are victimized because we as Americans tend to think of ourself before others. As McCloud said, the human race is conceited, but Americans tend to take that to the next level. I think the beginning of the essay strengthened the rest.