I believe the notions of disdain for the 'other' go as written whether we are to keep the language or put a modern twist to it. If we were to rework them to a less offensive view of the other, it would be like lying to ourselves. Shakespeare's time, modern time, there has been disdain for an 'other(s)' as long as there has been human emotion...(assuming anyway). If we were to change the hate, dislike, disdain, etc it would completely take away a major element from the play. Who would Shylock be? Would he just be the money lender that everyone gets along with, handing out cash like candy? Or would Portia just be like 'hey, you're an awesome suitor, sorry that you can't have me as a wife, it's all about this thing my dad left.' Portia obviously has some tricks up her sleeve and if we took that out of the play, she would just be some other silly woman rather than the heroine. Besides modern day society can't turn a blind eye on the issues we have today; there are parallels from Shakespeare's time to ours. There is still disdain for the 'other' whether it be we don't understand the other's views, actions, religion, etc; we don't want to understand; don't like the different in the other; scared of the other; or downright dislike. It makes the play relateable. I would keep the language as written. If the audience doesn't quite understand the language, the actors are able to convey the message through body language, facial expression, etc. Besides if someone doesn't like the play because of the disdain for the 'other' they can get up and leave.