The Political Misuse of Language
“Get Brexit Done.” “Stop the Boats.” “Make America Great Again.”
A long cry from a “Kinder, Gentler Nation” and “New Labour, New Britain,” these simple yet profound recent slogans have not only resonated with certain voters throughout the West; they have also become some of the most dominating political messages of the day. But while memorable catchphrases are a sign of success for political strategists, rhetoric has become increasingly polarized. Whether it’s former President Donald Trump dishing out insults and writing off indictments against him as “witch hunts,” former Prime Minister Boris Johnson lying about breaking COVID-19 lockdown rules, or other leaders fomenting fear and outrage among their base, tensions have grown. And misinformation and disinformation have added fuel to the fire. Can the West rein in and mitigate the epidemic of inflammatory rhetoric and dishonesty that has pervaded politics? Or are lies and petty clashes the new normal for political communication?
Join us Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 11:00 am EDT / 3:00 pm GMT, for another installment of Free Speech at the Crossroads: International Dialogues.
This event is co-sponsored by the Free Speech Project (Georgetown University) and the Future of the Humanities Project (Georgetown University and Blackfriars Hall and Campion Hall, Oxford).
Featured:
John Drakakis, emeritus English professor, University of Stirling.
Ian Finlay, fellow, Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford.
Jessica Mudry chair, the School of Professional Communication, Toronto Metropolitan University.
Deborah Tannen, distinguished university professor in Linguistics, Georgetown University.
Michael Scott (moderator), senior dean, Blackfriars Hall, Oxford.
Sanford J. Ungar (moderator), director, Free Speech Project, Georgetown University.