Language is a collection of symbols, letters, and words with arbitrary meanings that are governed by rules and are used to communicate. People sometimes use language in unconventional ways, which can present a barrier or a bonus to communication. These unconventional language include racism, sexism, heterosexism, and ageism which I had learned after the last human communication lecture class yesterday. 

  First, prejudice or discrimination by one group toward others perceived as a different 'race', plus the power to enforce it.'' Groups may be almost identical physiologically, yet be divided against each other on the basis of culture, language, religion, nationality, or any combination of the above. Prejudice that remains an attitude can be emotionally painful and demoralizing, but it is not racism until it is put into action. The actions of individuals, in turn, are harmful to the degree that they are supported by power. Imagine, for example, that a Muslim applied to rent an apartment from Hindu landlord. If the landlord hates Muslims personally but rents the apartment and treats the tenant on an equal basis with any other in charging rent, maintaining the apartment, etc, that is an example of prejudice but not of racism. If the landlord refuses to rent the apartment to a Muslim, the landlord's action is individual racism, but can be only a temporary setback if it is not supported by the society. It, however, the rest of the tenants and neighbours support the landlord's decision, if no local media find it to be news, if the applicant finds no official avenue for appeal or redress, that is institutionalized racism. The following link is about the article of racism:

http://www.globalissues.org/article/165/racism

  Second, sexism is a form of discrimination based on gender. Discrimination on the basis of gender can take a wide variety of forms. For example, some people believe that women should stay at home to focus on rearing children and keeping house, rather than pursuing professional careers. This attitude can lead to severe criticism when career women are involved, and as seen in the 2008 US presidential primaries, high-profile women are not exempt from sexism, even when they are running for the office of president of the United States. Others may feel that men should not pursue “women's work” such as nursing, teaching, or homemaking, criticizing men who pursue these activities.

Incidents of sexism may be ambiguous and come from men, women or both.

Third, heterosexism is the system of oppression of persons who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual based on homophobia. Prejudice and discrimination against persons who are LGBT based on the assumption that heterosexuality is the only "normal" sexual orientation and therefore preferable. For instance, assuming that all unmarried people are "single," while in reality they may have a same-sex partner or all children live in families with a male-female couple in parental roles. Let me share a short video clip which is about the heterosexism.

  Fourth, ageism is discrimination based on age. Ageism is often a cause for individual acts of age discrimination and also discrimination that is more systemic in nature, such as in the design and implementation of services, programs and facilities. Age discrimination involves treating persons in an unequal fashion due to age in a way that is contrary to human rights law. Both seniors and children are marginalized in many societies. Seniors, for example, are presumed to be incapable of making decisions because of their advanced age, while children are not allowed to make choices because they are perceived as too young. Some regions of the world have laws which are considered ageist by activists, such as laws limiting the drinking age, or laws mandating retirement at a specific age.