Language can perpetuate prejudices and prevent change. Just as language can be used to instigate change, language can be used to prevent change. Again, the women's movement in the United States provides an example. Often, the speaker is unaware that he is communicating a prejudice because it is hidden within the message itself. For example, an individual may simply want to communicate the job opening for a police officer to the public.
Language can convey a message other than the one intended.
As shown by the above statement, language can convey a message other than the one intended by the speaker. Because language can prevent change and convey unintended messages, people must be aware of what they are communicating at all times. Feedback from listeners can help people to become aware of possible prejudices that are inherent in their own messages. Yet, some people will continue to prevent change through their language due to both carelessness and prejudices. For this reason, those who want to see change within their culture must make others aware that the use of certain words along with certain behaviors are unacceptable in the culture.