The Language of Authoritarianism (Origins) #6

In this sixth episode of This Authoritarian Life we look at how language is used to entrench authoritarian power. Authoritarian leaders have long realized the power of propaganda, deploying radio, television and more recently social media to cement certain ideas as truths, to vindicate an exclusive right to lead the political community, to name threats and enemies, and to delegitimize critics and opponents. While they are not the only ones to deploy propaganda, they do this in particular ways. We talk to linguist and communication expert Anna Szilágyi who, after working for a decade as a journalist, has studied the deep grammar of disempowering 'language games' and recently launched a global educational program called “Words Break Bones" to raise public awareness of the power of words in private and public life.

What is the most effective strategy for killing compassion in a society? How can pronouns be used to cement walls between people? What is the significance of military metaphors? And, most importantly, how can we find a way to navigate the minefield of authoritarian propaganda?  

🎧 To find out, tune into this sixth episode of This Authoritarian Life "The Language of Authoritarianism" with Kristóf Szombati and Erdem Evren!

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Chapters

• 0:00 Episode Teaser & Jingle
• 1:03 Introduction to the Episode & Guest
• 5:08 "Covering My Ears": On Becoming a Linguist
• 11:54 What Can We Learn From Viktor Orbán's Speech?
• 23:18 How Do Labels Kill Compassion?
• 36:26 The Incredible Power of Metaphors
• 41:10 What Does Authoritarian Language Do To Us?
• 46:19 How Can We Deal With Authoritarian Propaganda?
• 1:02:21 Acknowledgements