What a Humane World Looks Like: Watching Your Language

In the humane education presentation I give on compassionate, effective vegan advocacy, one of the topics I highlight is to "Watch Your Language." I talk about the importance of language and framing in the conversations that we have with people. How very different it is to talk about choosing not to eat animals versus "giving up" meat. Being for compassion and an end to suffering versus being against factory farms. Having a plethora of food choices versus food restrictions. Empowerment versus sacrifice. Soy chicken versus fake meat. I ask my audiences to be aware of the language choices and euphemisms that the animal agriculture industry makes -- using words like culling or harvesting, or "confined animal feeding operations", or beef and pork instead of unshackling the truth and using words like killing or murdering, or factory farming, or calling the animals by their names: cow and pig. The use of the objectifying it versus s/he. And so on.

Skim the headlines or listen to talk show pundits, and you'll find numerous examples of incendiary and misleading word usage. We talk about radicals and extremists when we think others' views are far beyond what we consider "right" and "normal." We toss out words like "traitor" and "socialism" and "evil" and "crazy" as if they have no influence on anyone -- just combinations of letters that pour out of our mouths and fall harmlessly on the ear.

What are we doing with our language choices? Are we objectifying animals and other people? Are we vilifying those with whom we disagree? Are we inciting violence? Are we hiding the truth?

As comedian George Carlin said, “You can’t be afraid of words that speak the truth, even if it’s an unpleasant truth….I don’t like words that hide the truth.”

Language is such a powerful tool. It has influenced and shaped the beliefs and actions and values of billions. Language can be extremely persuasive. It can help people empathize; it can make people angry; it can spur people to action, both violent and peaceful. But language should be used with compassion and awareness. It should always be accurate. It should be truthful. It shouldn’t be used to hurt or destroy.

Consider your own words before you speak, and think about the meaning and intent of words that seem inflammatory or misleading or less than straightforward. Choose words of truth and compassion. Watch your language, and you'll watch a more kind and just world emerge.

~ Marsha

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