Words are weapons

Level 2 | Intermediate

1 Pre-reading: Key Vocabulary

Fill the gaps using these key words from the text: crusade martyr emancipation hell-hole oppression ambiguity autocratic propaganda

1. A ____________ is someone who dies for their political or religious beliefs. 2. -____________ is information, especially false information, that governments and the media spread in order to influence peoples opinions. 3. A ____________ is a kind of holy war. 4. A place that is extremely dirty, dangerous or unpleasant can be described as a ____________ . 5. ____________ is something that is not clear because it has more than one possible meaning. 6. The process of giving rights and freedom to someone is called ____________ . 7. Unfair and cruel treatment by a powerful person or government is known as ____________ . 8 An ____________ government rules with complete power.

2 Connotation
Decide which of these words have a positive association and which have a negative association and put them into the corresponding box: terrorist occupation hero uncivilised freedom-fighter liberation oppressor militant martyr self-determination rogue states dark forces

Positive ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________

Negative ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________

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Words are weapons

Level 2 | Intermediate

From civilisation to WMD, words are weapons

Simon Tisdall
hen George Bush, soon after September 11, referred to a "crusade" against al-Qaida, he helped persuade Muslims that they were under renewed attack from the Christian world. In the context of a possible "conflict between civilisations", Bushs use of language was not only insensitive but extremely reckless. Bush has avoided the word "crusade" ever since. But he still regularly talks about the need to defend "civilisation" and "the civilised world" against "dark forces". He never explains which part of the planet is the "uncivilised" or "dark" bit. Perhaps he means Kandahar in Afghanistan or Eastbourne in England. It is unclear. Words can define how a people sees itself: the US declaration of independence is one obvious example. Modern-day Palestinians also see themselves involved in a struggle for "independence" and "freedom" from external oppression. Words such as "imperialism","emancipation","selfdetermination" and "liberation" define how history is written, how the future will be shaped. Terrorism is an obvious example. In the abstract, "terrorism" is a terrible thing; nobody likes it; nobody supports it. Why then is there so much "terrorism"? Because people cannot agree on its definition. It depends where you stand. Terrorism is a word that is often misused. For Donald Rumsfeld, for example, the recent helicopter attack at Falluja was simply the

work of "terrorists". To the oppressed of the world,however, the men of violence are militants, freedom-fighters, guerrillas, insurgents, heroes, martyrs. The real terrorists belong to the "other side". Yet "state terrorism" is a concept that the oppressors do not recognise. Which brings us back to Bush. When Bush declared his global "war on terror", he encouraged autocratic rulers all over the world to do their worst in the name of "security". From Chechnya to Colombia, Pakistan to the Philippines, the anti-terror "war" has grown with Bushs approval. In this carelessly used language, such people, whether killed or locked up in Bagram or Guantanamo or a thousand other hell-holes, are by definition "evil". The latest addition to political-speak, to the modern leaders essential vocabulary, is WMD, or weapons of mass destruction. Everyone has heard of WMD and they are now a reason why civil liberties are under attack everywhere, why military budgets are rising, why the developing world is not developing, and why your opinion is ignored. Developed countries have their own WMD, of course, but their weapons are somehow regarded as acceptable. WMD in developing countries or "rogue states" (whatever that means), on the other hand, are unacceptable. These WMD are regarded as a threat. There are certain words that the Wests leaders carefully avoid. These include "resistance", which is too positive a word to use when describing those people in Iraq

who attack the American forces. And then there is "occupation". Occupation, as in Iraq, is a no-go word; liberation is much better. Occupation makes it sound as if the US has entered somebody elses country illegally and refuses to go away. It makes Iraq sound like Palestine, Tibet,Afghanistan or even Vietnam. That really is careless talk. Politicians and the media need to be more sensitive in their use of language. They should avoid ambiguity and words with politically and culturally charged, multiple meanings. As ever in human communication, there is truth and there is propaganda. It is important to be able to tell the difference. Before passing the ammunition, pass the word. The Guardian Weekly 20-11-03, page 14

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Words are weapons

Level 2 | Intermediate

3 Comprehension Check
Match the beginnings and endings of the sentences: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. President Bushs use of the word crusade was insensitive because . Terrorism is a difficult word because . Oppressed people often regard terrorists as . Bushs global "war on terror". WMD stands for . WMD in developed countries . WMD in "rogue states". What is regarded as liberation by some people . . weapons of mass destruction. . heroes, freedom-fighters and martyrs. . is regarded as occupation by others. . are regarded as a threat. . has led to autocratic rulers doing their worst in the name of security. . it made many Muslims think they were under attack from the Christian world. . are regarded as acceptable. . people cannot agree on its definition.

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Words are weapons

Level 2 | Intermediate

4 Vocabulary: Opposites
Find the opposites of these words in the text 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. careful safe sensitive civilised clear democratic acceptable legally ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________

5 Vocabulary: Word Building

Complete the chart Verb 1. declare 2. oppress 3. define 4. recognise 5. add 6. destroy 7. accept 8. avoid 9. resist 10. occupy Noun ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________

6 Discussion
Terrorists or freedom-fighters? Think of examples of conflicts past and present and discuss why some people are regarded as terrorists and others who employ the same methods as freedom-fighters.

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Words are weapons

Level 2 | Intermediate

Key
1 Key Vocabulary 1. martyr 2. propaganda 3. crusade 4. hell-hole . 5. ambiguity 6. emancipation 7. oppression 8. autocratic 4 Vocabulary 1: Opposites 1. careless (also reckless) 2. dangerous 3. insensitive 4. uncivilised 5. unclear 6. autocratic 7. unacceptable 8. illegally

2 Connotation 5 Vocabulary 2: Word Building A probable answer is: Positive: freedom-fighter; liberation; martyr; hero; self-determination Negative: terrorist; uncivilised; occupation; oppressor; rogue states; dark forces The word militant can be in either category depending on the point of view of the speaker. 1. declaration 3. definition 5. addition 7. acceptance 9. resistance 2. oppression 4. recognition 6. destruction 8. avoidance 10.occupation

3 Comprehension Check 1 f; 2 h; 3 b; 4 e; 5 a; 6 g; 7 d; 8 c

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