From Timothy Snyder’s “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century”
This lesson emphasizes the importance of preserving and respecting the integrity of language in the face of authoritarianism and propaganda
Authoritarian regimes often manipulate language to distort truth and reality. Euphemisms, jargon, words, and slogans can be used to obscure facts and dehumanize individuals or groups; examples from the incoming president include “vermin,” and “poison to our country” when he is referring to undocumented immigrants, also “enemies from within,” and “traitors” when referring to democrats or political adversaries. We have seen this before: Hitler used dehumanizing language about Jewish people, such as “cockroach” and “rats.” See this article for a study on Nazi propaganda.
Simplistic and repetitive slogans can make complex issues appear straightforward, often in ways that serve authoritarian agendas. As Snyder notes, “When we repeat the same words and phrases that appear in daily media, we accept the absence of the larger framework.” Critical thinking and nuanced understanding are needed now more than ever to counter these narratives.
Things we can do to challenge propaganda and dehumanizing language:
- Use language thoughtfully and precisely to convey meaning and foster understanding.
- Avoid adopting the language of authoritarianism, which can subtly influence thought and behavior.
- Encourage reading and discussion to develop a deeper understanding of issues.
- Question and analyze the language used in political discourse and media.
- Support journalism and literature that prioritize truth and complexity over propaganda and oversimplification.
By being kind to our language, we uphold the power of words to convey truth and resist the erosion of democratic values. This lesson underscores the critical role of language in both reflecting and shaping reality.
Articles:
Donald Trump and the Power of Dehumanizing Language
Trump is Speaking like Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini
Trump’s Propaganda Victory: Rewriting of January 6th
Books to Read (as suggested by Timothy Snyder):
Novels:
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Plot Against America by Phillip Roth
Political and Historical Texts:
Politics and the English Language by George Orwell
The Language of the Third Reich by Victor Klemperer
Nothing is True and Everything is Possible by Peter Pomerantsev
