Addressing Polarizing Language in Media and Communication

Introduction

• Speaker is using notes to convey precise language choices.
• Two versions of news about immigration:
  • Conservative: 1,000 illegal aliens arrested by US border control
  • Liberal: 1,000 undocumented immigrants turned themselves into US border patrol
• Highlighting the impact of language on political polarization.

Language Choices and Their Impact

• Media and political language can alienate different perspectives.
• Choices may be intentional for engagement.
• Language signaling political tribes:
  • Left: Equity, lived experience, oppression, pronouns, gender-affirming care, Latinx.
  • Right: Snowflake, deep state, mainstream media, Alpha, illegal alien, woke, social justice warrior.

Tangle: A Nonpartisan News Outlet

• Founded in 2019 to combat news polarization.
• Aim: Provide balanced reporting and wide-ranging perspectives.
• Challenges encountered with language preferences:
  • Liberals: Unsubscribed over terms like pro-life.
  • Conservatives: Unsubscribed over terms like women's healthcare.

Navigating Polarizing Language

1. Avoid Signaling Political Tribes:

• Immigration example: unauthorized migrant as a neutral term.

2. Use Preferred Terms:

• Abortion debate: Use pro-life and pro-choice based on group preferences.
• Example: Latinx controversy, preference for terms Hispanic or Latino/Latina.

3. Follow Your Own Judgement:

• Capitalization of Black and White: AP guidelines vs. preferences of various writers.
• Example: Speaker prefers lowercase black and white.

Responsibility of Consumers and Communicators

• Connect with people outside political tribes.
• Listen more neutrally and understand intended meanings.
• Avoid offense over tribal language; focus on the intended message.

Fascinating Examples of Language Signals

• Deep State: Viewed differently based on political perspective.
• Lived Experiences: Different interpretations across political lines.

Complex Terms and Definitions

• Zionism: Different definitions illustrate how terms can be perceived differently.
  • Example definitions from Merriam-Webster, ADL, Al Jazeera.
• Clarify terms to foster mutual understanding.

Strategies for Effective Communication

• Sincerity and tolerance in communication.
• Efforts to use neutral language and understand other perspectives.
• Importance of defining terms in media to avoid misunderstanding.

Conclusion

• Open to suggestions for improving communication across political divides.
• Emphasis on mutual understanding and changing one's mind when necessary.