Language control has long been used as an instrument of oppression, intrinsically linked to systems of racism, colonialism, imperialism, and orientalism. It is not just about grammar or vocabulary—it is about power. The notion that there exists a single “correct” form of English is a myth constructed to uphold social hierarchies and maintain dominance over marginalized communities. In reality, language is fluid. It evolves organically, shaped by the diverse groups who use it. New words, expressions, and ways of speaking are not corruptions but innovations—evidence of living, adaptable culture.

Throughout history, dominant powers have used language suppression to control and assimilate oppressed populations. In the United States, this has manifested in numerous ways. Native American boarding schools brutally enforced English by punishing children for speaking their ancestral languages, aiming to sever cultural ties and erase Indigenous identity. Black English Vernacular (AAVE) has been stigmatized in education and employment, despite its rich linguistic structure and historical significance. Immigrant communities have faced English-only workplace laws and educational policies that marginalize Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese, and other languages, denying people the right to speak and learn in their native tongues.

Dictionaries, often perceived as gatekeepers of language, are not objective arbiters of correctness. They are records—snapshots of how people actually use language at a given time. Words change meaning. Some that were once pejorative have been reclaimed and transformed into symbols of identity and resistance. Others fall out of use or evolve. Language is not neutral; it reflects and reinforces social values. To control language is to control meaning, identity, and legitimacy.

Requiring “proper” English as a condition of access, employment, or respectability is not a neutral standard—it is a continuation of linguistic imperialism. It enforces conformity to a dominant cultural norm while dismissing the legitimacy of other linguistic traditions. This approach privileges whiteness, colonial heritage, and class dominance, while punishing those who do not—or cannot—conform.

A just and equitable society does not demand assimilation. It fosters genuine cultural exchange by respecting and valuing multilingualism. Linguistic diversity is not a threat; it is a strength. It enhances collective intelligence, deepens empathy, and preserves historical knowledge. Resisting language control means advocating for a world in which people are free to speak, learn, and express themselves without coercion, judgment, or fear.