A Question Of Language Essay 
Jessica Li Li 1
Mr. Albert Chan
English 102
14 October 2014
The Power of Language The introduction of “A Question of Language,” is a frame for Gloria Naylor's discussion. Gloria Naylor defines how the written and spoken language can give different meaning to a word. She considers language powerful tool used by writers and everyday people, to express their feelings and capture reality and life. She portrays just how powerful she feels the spoken word could be. And she introduces to all of us that how powerful the spoken word could be which was what the rest of the piece emphasizes. Gloria Naylor uses the chronological organization to start with her childhood experience and then transitions into how her thoughts on the word ‘nigger’ evolved into what they are today. The impacts of what and how we communicate can be very profound for others. Even by simply uttering a single word and sometimes by not saying anything at all, or just presenting a certain look can send a strong message, whether or not the sender’s intention has been interpreted correctly. Gloria Naylor points out that, “Dialogue achieves its power in the dynamics of a fleeting moment of sight, sound, smell and touch (220).” This helps all of us easily understand the power of a spoken word such as sound of ‘nigger’. Gloria Naylor’s position is that words either written or spoken do not take on meaning until a consensus assigns one, and how it could have different means to different people in different situations. It also depends on the person’s race, social status, gender, and age. Gloria Naylor explains that how a word such as ‘nigger’ could have different meaning within each one’s own environment. Gloria Naylor discusses how a word could go from having a positive to a negative effect merely due to how it is spoken and by whom. Gloria Naylor shares her
Mr. Albert Chan
English 102
14 October 2014
The Power of Language The introduction of “A Question of Language,” is a frame for Gloria Naylor's discussion. Gloria Naylor defines how the written and spoken language can give different meaning to a word. She considers language powerful tool used by writers and everyday people, to express their feelings and capture reality and life. She portrays just how powerful she feels the spoken word could be. And she introduces to all of us that how powerful the spoken word could be which was what the rest of the piece emphasizes. Gloria Naylor uses the chronological organization to start with her childhood experience and then transitions into how her thoughts on the word ‘nigger’ evolved into what they are today. The impacts of what and how we communicate can be very profound for others. Even by simply uttering a single word and sometimes by not saying anything at all, or just presenting a certain look can send a strong message, whether or not the sender’s intention has been interpreted correctly. Gloria Naylor points out that, “Dialogue achieves its power in the dynamics of a fleeting moment of sight, sound, smell and touch (220).” This helps all of us easily understand the power of a spoken word such as sound of ‘nigger’. Gloria Naylor’s position is that words either written or spoken do not take on meaning until a consensus assigns one, and how it could have different means to different people in different situations. It also depends on the person’s race, social status, gender, and age. Gloria Naylor explains that how a word such as ‘nigger’ could have different meaning within each one’s own environment. Gloria Naylor discusses how a word could go from having a positive to a negative effect merely due to how it is spoken and by whom. Gloria Naylor shares her