Speciesist language
Words or expressions that reinforce speciesist prejudices and justify oppression of other species. Many sexist expressions, such as comparing women to “fresh meat,” also have their roots in speciesist language.
Examples
Feminist and animal rights activist Joan Dunayer offers various examples in “Sexist Words, Speciesist Roots.”
- Contrary to the expression “men are wolves,” actual wolves do not have fleeting relationships with multiple females. Most wolves maintain monogamous relationships. This expression also reinforces the prejudice that monogamy is good or normal.
- In English, “chicken” means a coward. But actual chickens are not cowardly. The leader of a flock bravely faces danger to protect the group.
- In English, “chick” can mean a young woman, but calling a man a “chick” is understood as derogatory, much like calling him a “little girl.” In Korean, meanwhile, the derogatory sense of “gyejib-ae” (“female” + “child”) rests on sexism and ageism. An example of how speciesism, sexism, and ageism connect.
- “Sweating like a pig” is common, but pigs do not sweat because they lack sweat glands, and they tend to keep their living spaces clean. Pigs cover themselves with mud not because they are dirty, but to regulate their body temperature in hot weather in the absence of sweat glands.
- “Eating like a pig” is also common, but pigs, unlike humans, rarely overeat.
- In English, “rat” can mean a traitor or informer. But rats are highly cooperative and are widely known to take good care of young and old members of their group.
Problems with speciesist language
Every negative image of another species helps perpetuate its oppression. Speciesist language is one of the most powerful mechanisms for creating and sustaining such images.
Speciesist language also reinforces the false dichotomy of humans versus animals. This dichotomy enables psychological distancing, allowing humans to abuse nonhuman animals without guilt.
J. Dunayer writes:
The insulting prejudices attributed to animals rarely describe the animals’ actual characteristics. The traits imposed on animals are, in fact, merely negative human traits.
Language that idealizes animal behavior
J. Dunayer deals mainly with negative portrayals, but in light of existing discussions of racism and sexism, language that idealizes animal behavior can also be considered speciesist.
For example, the “myth of motherhood” is sexist because it encourages mistaken customs and assumptions that impose particular gender roles on women and demand absolute sacrifice from mothers. Expressions such as “innocent adolescents” may be ageist, and the myth of the noble savage about Native Americans, widespread among white Americans, may be racist or culturally discriminatory.
Similarly, discriminatory expressions that idealize animal behavior can include “Unlike humans, animals aren’t greedy” and “Animals don’t kill unnecessarily.”