Allport saw derogatory language as both reflecting and causing prejudice along several paths.

Evidence

Allport’s consideration of the linguistic factors in prejudice was complex and variegated. He hypothesized that linguistic factors served a range of functions and had a number of different consequences. Antilocutions were hypothesized to reflect social categorization; to express hostile prejudice; to promote exclusion; to precipitate violence; and to directly harm the targets. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1260

Categorization

• XREF: Allport’s boldest causal claim — that slurs precipitate exclusion and violence — connects to the contact-theory thread in the vault, since one limb of it (‘never a bite without previous barking’) is the linguistic cousin of the continuum-of-action thesis.