3 Ideas for Communicating Across the Political Divide | Isaac Saul | TED

Understanding Language Choices in Political Discourse

The Importance of Language Precision

• The speaker emphasizes the significance of language choices and their impact on communication, stating they will read from notes to ensure precision.

• Two contrasting statements about immigration are presented: one using "illegal aliens" and the other "undocumented immigrants," highlighting how language can cater to different political audiences.

Polarization and Media Language

• The speaker discusses the polarization in U.S. politics, noting that media language often alienates those with differing perspectives.

• It is suggested that media companies may intentionally use divisive language to retain specific audience segments, even at the cost of losing others.

Examples of Political Language

• The speaker lists terms associated with left and right political tribes, such as "equity" for the left and "deep state" for the right, illustrating how language signals political alignment.

• They introduce their background as a politics reporter who founded Tangle, an independent news outlet aimed at addressing news polarization.

Addressing News Polarization

• Tangle was created to provide balanced reporting that appeals to a wide range of political views without partisan slant.

• Despite good intentions, Tangle faced challenges in retaining readers from both sides due to polarizing language choices.

Navigating Polarizing Language

• Readers expressed dissatisfaction over specific terminology used (e.g., "pro-life" vs. "anti-abortion"), prompting a reevaluation of language strategies.

• To foster understanding across political divides, it is crucial to avoid signaling exclusion through word choices.

Finding Compromise in Terminology

• Immigration terminology serves as a prime example where terms like “undocumented immigrant” or “illegal immigrant” can alienate different audiences.

• A compromise term like “unauthorized migrant” was adopted to communicate effectively without offending either side's sensibilities.

Preferred Terms and Neutrality

• In contentious debates like abortion, using preferred terms (e.g., pro-life or pro-choice) helps maintain neutrality while respecting differing viewpoints.

• This approach allows for tolerance in discussions but requires careful consideration of how groups self-identify.

Challenges with Gender-Neutral Terms

Understanding Language Choices in Media

The Use of Terms: "Hispanic" vs. "Latinx"

• Polling indicates that 68% of people of Hispanic descent prefer the term "Hispanic," while only 2% use "Latinx," with 40% finding it offensive. Thus, the speaker advocates for discontinuing its use.

Capitalization in Racial Terminology

• The AP Stylebook's guidance on capitalizing "Black" but not "white" was introduced in 2020 to reflect cultural experiences; however, the speaker has since moved away from this guideline due to persuasive arguments against it.

• Notable writers like Glenn Loury argue that disparate groups within racial categories do not share a singular identity, questioning the rationale behind capitalizing “Black” while keeping “white” lowercase.

Personal Responsibility in Communication

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of making informed language choices and communicating them clearly, acknowledging that perfect neutrality is unattainable but striving for connection across political divides is essential.

• Consumers of media also bear responsibility for engaging neutrally and understanding differing perspectives without resorting to hostility or viewing each other as enemies.

Navigating Political Language

• Recognizing that terms can signal political affiliation, individuals are encouraged to interpret language choices without taking offense and seek mutual understanding instead. For instance, phrases like “deep state” or discussions about lived experiences can carry different implications based on context.

Defining Controversial Terms

• The term "Zionism" illustrates how a single word can have vastly different meanings depending on who uses it; definitions range from a Jewish nationalist movement to a colonial endeavor, highlighting the need for clarity in discussions involving charged terminology.

• Engaging others by asking how they define contentious terms can foster better communication and understanding between differing viewpoints, which is crucial for productive dialogue.

Sincerity in Communication Across Divides