The bible on how human actions make their way into language

So I thought I was smart when I tracked all the phrases we use that are offensive to animals, but I barely scratched the surface!

I can’t remember how I even came across Joan Dunayer‘s Animal Equality: Language and Liberation, but this is the quintessential book about how our treatment of animals has made its way into everyday language. The book was published by Ryce Publishing in 2001.

The first thing I’ll say is that if you’re into linguistics, you’ll enjoy this book. If you hate reading, this isn’t for you (unless you can find an audio version…I can only see a hardcover for sale). Also, if you’re not remotely aware of what veganism stands for, have a look at some of my other vegan book reviews (or even my List Love page) and get a basic understanding of why we should avoid consuming or exploiting animals first.

The definition of speciesism is probably helpful here too: the assumption of human superiority leading to the exploitation of animals.

The book’s thesis is that language begets cruelty. In her intro, Dunayer states: “I noticed that standard English usage legitimizes, trivializes, and conceals speciesist injustice.”

Other highlights worth mentioning:

• Dunayer shares her story about adopting pets that were experimented on when she was in college, and eventually becoming vegan.
• Speciesism relies on lies that are perpetuated by language. Animal-related terms evoke a lack of intelligence, and there’s a tendency to use quotations when referring to animals and their thoughts and emotions, when they do indeed have them. These habits make animals secondary to humans.
• The author reviews the ability of animals to communicate or talk. Even parrots and gorillas have been observed to get bored when they are tested on their communication skills.
• She shares stories of animals who’ve acted like humans.
• A good chunk of the book is dedicated to the specialized language around hunting, wildlife management, sportfishing, zoos, aquaria or marine parks, scientific research, animal agriculture, and aquaculture.
• More examples of speciesist language include referring to animals by “it/its” pronouns instead of “he/her,” and using animal metaphors to degrade people (e.g. bitch, cow, chick, fox…).
• In the eyes of the law, animals are not considered “persons.” I know this has changed in some places since the book was published.
• The book ends with plenty of suggestions on how to counter speciesism in writing.

While I don’t think many of her suggestions will be easy to change in everyday language, if you work as a writer and would like to be kinder to animals in your work, this book would be good to have by your side.

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