hate speech
hate speech
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for hate speech is /ˈheɪt ˌspiːtʃ/.
Here is a breakdown of the sounds in the term:
hate (/heɪt/):
/h/: The initial sound in "hi."
/eɪ/: The long 'a' vowel sound, as in "ape" or "say."
/t/: The final consonant sound in "cat."
speech (/spiːtʃ/):
/s/: The initial consonant sound in "sun."
/p/: The consonant sound in "pet."
/iː/: The long 'e' vowel sound, as in "see" or "feet."
/tʃ/: The final consonant sound, as in "church."
Word Form Variations
Hate speech is a compound noun. It is most often used as a mass noun (like "water" or "information") and therefore has no plural form. However, when referring to specific instances, a plural can be used.
Singular/Mass Noun: hate speech
Plural: hate speeches
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
hate speech
Public expression, whether through words, symbols, or actions, that attacks, demeans, or incites hatred or violence against an individual or group based on protected attributes such as race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Communication that is deliberately abusive, insulting, or threatening, intended to intimidate, harass, or marginalize a targeted group, thereby fostering a climate of hostility and prejudice.
Synonyms: vilification, denigration, group defamation, bigoted language, incitement to hatred.
Antonyms: inclusive language, respectful discourse, affirmation, praise, tolerant speech.
Examples of Use
In Books
In her analysis of legal frameworks, free speech advocate Nadine Strossen questions the utility of a legal definition, arguing, "The concept of hate speech is so inherently subjective that it defies legal definition. One person’s hate speech is another’s political commentary" (Strossen, HATE: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship).
In Newspapers
Reporting on social media content moderation, a journalist might write, "The platform updated its community guidelines to more aggressively penalize users who post what it defines as hate speech, including content that targets individuals based on their immigration status" (The New York Times, March 2023).
In Online Publications
Organizations dedicated to civil rights often publish guides and reports on the topic. For instance, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) states on its website, "Hate speech can include slurs, epithets, and hateful rhetoric that express prejudice against a particular group, especially when it is used to intimidate, harass, or marginalize."
In Entertainment
In a fictional television legal drama, a prosecutor might address the jury during closing arguments, saying, "The defense wants you to believe these were just words, protected by the First Amendment. But the evidence shows this was textbook hate speech, a direct call to violence against a vulnerable community."
In Public Discourse
When addressing global challenges, world leaders often refer to the term. For example, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has remarked on the danger it poses, stating, "Hate speech is a menace to democratic values, social stability and peace. As such, it is an attack on all of us" (United Nations, June 2019).
10 Famous Quotes Using Hate Speech
Hate speech is a menace to democratic values, social stability and peace. (António Guterres, UN Secretary-General)
We believe that hate speech is not free speech. (Tim Cook, CEO of Apple)
Censoring hate speech is a remedy that is worse than the disease. (Nadine Strossen, Former ACLU President)
Freedom of opinion is a fundamental right, but that freedom has its limits where hate speech begins. (Angela Merkel, Former Chancellor of Germany)
There is no room for ambiguity: we must condemn hate speech unequivocally. (Volkan Bozkır, Former President of the UN General Assembly)
The whole point of hate speech is to make some people's lives miserable. (Jeremy Waldron, Legal Philosopher)
The problem with any law against hate speech is that it will be used against those who are the most powerless. (Erwin Chemerinsky, Constitutional Law Scholar)
Social media can become a forum for hate speech and fake news. (Pope Francis)
In Canada, we know that diversity is our strength, which is why we must always stand up to hate speech and intolerance in all its forms. (Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada)
When you have a bully campaign online and you have hate speech being spewed, you have to stand up to it. (Hillary Clinton, Former U.S. Secretary of State)
Etymology
The term hate speech is a modern invention created by combining two very old English words.
Hate: This word goes back over a thousand years to Old English (hete), and has ancient Germanic roots. From its beginning, it has always meant what it means today: intense dislike, hostility, and ill-will.
Speech: This word is just as old, coming from the Old English word for speaking and discourse (sprǣc). It has always referred to the act of communicating through spoken words.
While both words are ancient, the specific phrase "hate speech" is relatively new.
The first known use of the term appeared in the United States in the late 1980s. It was coined during intense legal and social debates, especially on college campuses, about how to handle racist and discriminatory language.
The original meaning was very specific and close to how we understand it now: it wasn't just any speech that was offensive or hateful. It was specifically created to define a category of public expression that attacks, threatens, or incites violence against a particular group of people based on things like their race, religion, or sexual orientation. The term was designed to distinguish this type of harmful, targeted language from general political disagreement or simple insults.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hate Speech
Here is a list of relevant phrases and idioms.
The line between free speech and hate speech
Spitting venom
To crack down on hate speech
Fighting words
Spewing hate speech
A poison pen letter
Zero tolerance for hate speech
To dip one's pen in gall
Platforming hate speech
Words that cut like a knife
Incitement to hatred
A firehose of vitriol
Hate speech laws and regulations
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hate speech from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
