Loaded language
(→Examples of Loaded Language in Politics) |
(Copyedit and category-clean-up.) |
||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
*[[Deceit|Deceiver]] | *[[Deceit|Deceiver]] | ||
*[[Liberal]] | *[[Liberal]] | ||
| − | *[[ | + | *[[WP:Elitist|Elitist]] |
*[[Conservative]] | *[[Conservative]] | ||
*[[Communist]] | *[[Communist]] | ||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
*[[Godwin's Law|Nazi]] | *[[Godwin's Law|Nazi]] | ||
*[[Moonbat]] | *[[Moonbat]] | ||
| − | * | + | *{{c|Troll}} |
| − | + | ||
*[[Sisyphus|Flat earther]] | *[[Sisyphus|Flat earther]] | ||
| − | |||
*[[Canard]] (used on arguments rather than individuals) | *[[Canard]] (used on arguments rather than individuals) | ||
*[[Cult]] | *[[Cult]] | ||
*[[Secular humanist]] | *[[Secular humanist]] | ||
*[[Fundy]] | *[[Fundy]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==Examples== | ==Examples== | ||
| Line 51: | Line 46: | ||
*''States right''s is a loaded term, because it has been used politically to raise race as a wedge issue. | *''States right''s is a loaded term, because it has been used politically to raise race as a wedge issue. | ||
*''Affirmative Action'' is a loaded term, and is frequently used to disparage the achievements of non-whites, e.g. Barack Obama being referred to as an ''Affirmative Action President''.{{fact}} | *''Affirmative Action'' is a loaded term, and is frequently used to disparage the achievements of non-whites, e.g. Barack Obama being referred to as an ''Affirmative Action President''.{{fact}} | ||
| − | ==See | + | |
| − | [[Push poll]] | + | ==See also== |
| + | *[[Push poll]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Evaluating arguments]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Internet culture]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Politics]] | ||
Revision as of 05:31, 24 January 2009
Loaded language is language that intentionally seeks an emotional association in the mind of the audience, to directly affect their views on a topic.
The use of loaded language confers certain qualities on a statement that often amount to a type of emotional appeal. "Liberal", for instance, is used as an insult, implying that the person so-labelled disregards normal moral standards. The true meaning of such a term often becomes obscured due to the prevalence of the coded meaning.
When the meaning is intentionally obfuscated in order to disparage a particular minority or belief without raising an alarm among those who would be offended by the meaning, it is sometimes called dog whistle politics, after the idea (often not actually true) that the out-group can't see past the plain meaning to the hidden message behind the words. Whether or not the out-group gets it, the in-group knows exactly what is meant by the code. For example, in certain settings in US politics, claiming to be "tough on crime" might be intended to subtly convey or take advantage of racism. Code words and dog whistle politics often use loaded language to convey their meaning to the in-group.
Contents |
Examples of Loaded Language in Politics
The Estate Tax, which is only levied on very large bequeathals, was spun and renamed as the "Death Tax", because the listener would assume it was a tax on anyone who died (well, on their survivors), without realizing in only applies to a very small number of people.
The phrase "No Child Left Behind" emphasizes the innocence of children, and the feeling of isolation at being left behind, rather than the same program which could have been called "Helping students succeed in school".
The "Defense of Marriage Act" intentionally invokes the image that marriage is being attacked, rather than a more straightforward name like "The Marriage for Heterosexual Couples Only Act".
Of course, everyone's favorite is "family values", which immediately invokes the feelings of warmth, security, honesty and support that a family brings. Even though the term really means a few vicious pet social issues - hatred of gays, being anti-abortion, and restricting roles for women.
Loaded questions
Loaded questions come in two forms:
- Trick questions force the respondent to either admit to an opinion or fact they do not share, or deny a factual premise. The most famous example of a trick question like this is: "When did you stop beating your wife?" Asked in such a way, there is simply no way to answer the question if you have never beaten your wife. An example of forced opinion: "So, you are going to vote for that lazy Obama?" If one says yes, they admit to Obama being lazy, if they say no, they are lying about voting. An example of forced fact: "So you are one of those god-denying evolutionists?" The interrogee may think evolution is a fact, but also could be, say, a Christian.
- Leading questions supply the answer in the question. They often invoke arguments of association such as: "Smart people have been shown to like Obama. Do you like Obama?" "It's been proven that good and righteous Christians such as yourself, like Banana Cream Pie, do you like Banana Cream Pie?" While these examples are obvious, if the topic is in an area one is unfamiliar with, and the "associations" use what appear to be expert opinions, one may well be moved to agree without even realizing what one has done. Amendment 2 in Colorado was a prime example of this. Few people understood the language of the bill, including many people in the legal profession. Polls would say to people "Experts analyzing this bill agree that it protects workers like yourself from being the victim of special rights groups. Workers all over the state are saying they feel threatened by this move, since it means someone can be hired who isn't qualified simply due to these special rights. Knowing that, and understanding how hard it is today to find a job, are you with us in our support of Amendment 2?"
Snarl words
The term snarl word refers to a derogatory label that can be attached to something, in order to ignore it or hate it without guilt. When used as a snarl words, these words are essentially meaningless; most of them can be used with meaning, but rarely are.
While not actually using the word, liberal comedian/pundit Al Franken went into great detail about the "Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy"'s use of snarl words and other forms of emotional appeal in his first political work, Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot, specifically referencing Newt Gingrich, Frank Luntz, and Lee Atwater's political activities and conservative pressure groups' reliance on such tactics to slam through the 1994 Contract With America program.
Popular snarl words include:
- Deceiver
- Liberal
- Elitist
- Conservative
- Communist
- Fascist
- Nazi
- Moonbat
- Troll
- Flat earther
- Canard (used on arguments rather than individuals)
- Cult
- Secular humanist
- Fundy
Examples
- States rights is a loaded term, because it has been used politically to raise race as a wedge issue.
- Affirmative Action is a loaded term, and is frequently used to disparage the achievements of non-whites, e.g. Barack Obama being referred to as an Affirmative Action President.[citation needed]