Name: 3 ideas for communicating across the political divide
Uploaded: 2024-07-11T14:46:23Z
Duration: 12 min 33 s
Description: How does language shape our politics? Journalist Isaac Saul explores how subtle word choices can inhibit productive dialogue about significant issues — and shows how small (but important) changes can help us all have better conversations with people who think differently than us.

How does language shape our politics? Journalist Isaac Saul explores how subtle word choices can inhibit productive dialogue about significant issues — and shows how small (but important) changes can help us all have better conversations with people who think differently than us.

3 ideas for communicating across the political divide

Language plays a powerful role in fueling polarization, often turning simple news stories into partisan flashpoints. A single word shift—like 'illegal alien' versus 'undocumented immigrant'—can instantly signal allegiance and shut down dialogue. Polls show, for example, that only 2 percent of people of Hispanic descent embrace the word 'Latinx', while 40 percent find it offensive. By choosing more neutral or group-preferred terms, it becomes possible to keep conversations open and foster understanding across divides.