Language in politics is a potent instrument for shaping public opinion and framing political narratives, highlighting its role in influencing perceptions and policy outcomes. From the identity politics in Ukraine to the “English-Only” movements in the US, language manipulation can significantly impact national unity and individual political agendas, underlining the need for critical engagement with how language is used in the political sphere.

“We’re cutting the language down to the bone,” says Syme, a character in the book 1984 by George Orwell, as he explains “Newspeak,” which is the only language in the world with a vocabulary to shrink instead of being enriched with time. “The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect.”

Words are not just words but concepts. They not only determine how we communicate, but also how we think. We cannot think without words, and if a control is imposed on what words we use and how, it is possible to control and even limit what we think.

In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, language has emerged as a crucial political tool signifying identity. Many who grew up speaking Russian are switching to Ukrainian to assert a new national shift. This reflects a broader effort to right the historical wrongs and establish a distinct Ukrainian identity. The political importance of language in Ukraine is highlighted by its role in unifying the nation and resisting external influence, signifying a deep connection between language and national sovereignty.

In more recent times, the intricate relationship between language and politics has reached something of a zenith, with the development of strategic language instruments to sway the masses and drive political agendas expanding. This has led to awkward and, at times, questionable campaigns to influence education at its most basic level.

In the US, for instance, proponents of multilingual education argue that integrating multiple languages in schools is crucial for academic success. However, opponents contend that it hinders English proficiency, which they believe is essential for national unity and identity. This sentiment is reflected in movements advocating for English as the official language, like the “English-Only” initiatives that have gained traction in various American states.

“Language” acts as a powerful tool for shaping opinions, influencing perceptions, and framing narratives. The way political parties, media outlets, pressure groups, and non-governmental organisations use language can have a significant impact on the public domain and can affect the political discourse. One of the ways by which language can be used to manipulate people is through the “Framing effect.” Framing orients the way an argument is structured and can have an impact on how it is perceived. It is often used by political leaders to steer public opinion in a particular direction, where they portray themselves in a favorable light. For instance, for a long time, concentration camps were known as camps for “special treatment.” In another, superior race theories shaped how people perceived each other, and helped the Nazis justify their oppression of the Jews.

More contemporarily, political candidates have employed the use of  “negative framing,” for instance, in attempting to sell “welfare economics”—in the form of free education, health and amenities—as “handouts” or “freebies.” Using euphemisms like “interrogation techniques” instead of saying “torture,” and the use of “collateral damage” instead of “civilian casualties,” sanitises the language used to describe controversial actions. In a more recent example, Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine has been employed to avoid blame and skirt legal, moral, and political consequences associated with his war of aggression.

Meanwhile, propagandistic language is used to distort facts and manipulate perceptions. In authoritarian regimes, language manipulation is an indispensable tool in the hands of those in power. Once a ruling government also establishes control over the media, the media is used as an instrument to control this “public language” and to have control over the population.

Joseph Goebbels’ job, for instance, was to portray a fair image of the Nazi regime to the German people, while creating a despicable image of the non-Aryans. A famous quote from Goebbels at the time was, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”

In the modern age, in addition to media outlets, social media platforms have become important tools for political narrative building and generating influence. Political leaders and interest groups make use of these social media platforms to disseminate their messages, and to shape narratives. Leaders attract the public’s attention and seek influence among voters, attract supporters, and shape public discourse by using methods such as hashtags, memes, and viral videos.

As this all suggests, language influences policy making to no small degree. In reducing politics to its most basic communicative form, the language of public debates can often impact important challenges for the worse. In the United States, for instance, migrants are often referred to as “Illegal-Aliens” or  “undocumented migrants,” depending on the purpose. Supporters of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program refer to beneficiaries as “Dreamers,” framing them as deserving, hard-working individuals striving for the American dream. This has helped garner public support for more lenient policies.

The significance of language in politics cannot be emphasized enough. Language is a powerful tool of political influence, used to shape policy results, mobilize support, and frame political narratives. It is crucial for us to evaluate political actors’ language critically, identify their persuasive strategies, and be aware of how language affects us and how we comprehend political issues as citizens and listeners to political discourse. In the end, as Orwell cautioned, language is corrupted when words are contaminated. The true battle lies in defending the integrity of our words, for in doing so, we safeguard our freedom and our democracy.

Rohan Qurashi is a student of Political Science and History at  St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi. He writes on issues of Geopolitics and International affairs.

This article is published under a Creative Commons License and may be republished with attribution.