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.

Isaac Saul: 3 ideas for communicating across the political divide

3 ideas for communicating across the political divide

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.

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.