Language, Power & Ethics (DP IB Theory of Knowledge): Revision Note

Language, power & ethics

• Language can create and reinforce power by shaping what people believe, what they pay attention to and what they see as acceptable

• Ethical issues arise because language can be used to inform and clarify, but it can also be used to mislead or manipulate

Persuasion, propaganda and political language

• Persuasion uses language to influence beliefs or actions by:

  • giving reasons

  • selecting evidence

  • appealing to values or emotions

• Political language is often persuasive because it frames events and policies in ways that build support and reduce opposition

  • E.g., describing a rise in taxes as an “investment in public services” can frame it as a future benefit, while describing it as a “tax burden” frames it as an unfair cost

• Propaganda is an extreme form of persuasive political language, where the aim is to secure loyalty to a viewpoint by presenting a highly one-sided message and discouraging critical questioning

  • E.g., “This policy is delivering real change for hardworking families, and only a small group of naysayers claim otherwise”

  • This statement pushes a one-sided, emotionally loaded message that dismisses criticism rather than encouraging people to evaluate evidence and arguments

  • propaganda tends to be unethical when it relies on distortion, omission or emotional pressure instead of open evaluation

Euphemism, taboo and manipulation

• A euphemism is a softer, or less direct, word used to avoid harsh or upsetting language, e.g. “passed away” for died

• Euphemisms can improve sensitivity, but they can also be used to hide responsibility

• Manipulation uses language to steer choices without the audience fully noticing how their interpretation is being guided

• Euphemisms can become manipulative when they replace clear descriptions in high-stakes contexts where accuracy matters, e.g. a politician describes reducing funding for a service as “streamlining” is using language manipulatively because the wording steers public reaction and voting behaviour by making people more likely to accept the change

• Some words are taboo because they hold power to debase individuals or are considered disrespectful or rude in given contexts. These taboo words may shift over time and involve questions of ownership and values

• Ethical evaluation here depends on intent and impact: is the wording protecting people from unnecessary harm, or protecting the speaker from accountability?

Responsibilities of communicators

• Communicators have responsibilities because their language choices affect what others believe and how they act; responsibilities include:

  • clarity: using terminology that can be understood by the audience

  • accuracy: ensuring that evidence is presented in a way that does not mislead the audience

  • transparency: uncertainty and limitations are described

• Ethical communication balances persuasion with respect for autonomy, allowing the audience to evaluate the claim rather than being pushed into a particular choice

• Language users should question their right to use certain loaded terms that may belong to some communities of knowers because of their identity, religion, experience, values, history etc

• In some contexts, some language is taboo, so language users have a responsibility to respect norms and values in a given context, e.g. not swearing in someone’s place or worship

Linguistic inequality

• Linguistic inequality happens when some ways of communicating are treated as more legitimate, intelligent, or authoritative than others; people can gain or lose power depending on factors such as:

  • accent

  • dialect

  • vocabulary

  • fluency

• Inequality can also occur when important information is only available in one language, limiting who can access knowledge

• Reducing linguistic inequality can involve valuing multiple dialects, providing translation support and judging ideas on content rather than language style