Loaded language
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Loaded words are words or phrases which have strong emotional overtones or connotations and which evoke strongly positive (or negative) reactions far beyond the specific meaning of the word which is listed in the dictionary.
A language construct, such as a word or a question, is said to be loaded if it carries meaning or implications beyond its strict definition (its denotation). Use of the phrase loaded language to describe the writing or speech of another implies an accusation of demagoguery, or of pandering to the audience.
Some loaded language is used in ways that are deliberately ambiguous or even contradictory. Loaded language as an umbrella term is sometimes used to describe spin, euphemisms and doublespeak. Examples of loaded words, in alphabetical order, include:
- Anti-Semitism literally means discrimination against or a great dislike for those of Semitic origin (such as Arabs, Ethiopians, Aramaeans, Jews etc.). At the time of its invention as a word, in the late 1800s, it was intended to be used solely to describe hatred for the Jews alone. The ambiguity in the term is a result of later semantic subterfuge by anti-semitic opponents of its usage to apply solely to Jews, in a directed attempt to delegitimize the use of the word "antisemite" when applied to its practitioners.
- Christian Right, describes believers of Christianity that also subscribe to the ideologies of right-wing politics, but also implies a correctness in their thinking. Many types of conservatism, whether the brand is political, social and fiscal, aren't solely in agreement with the religious right.
- Clitoridectomy is a form of female circumcision and a form of female genital mutilation. However, female genital mutilation is a term used primarily by persons who do not approve of genital modification and mutilation of minors.
- Concentration camp is a term that literally just refers to a camp in which many people are "concentrated" in one area. There is nothing inherently evil about the term, but it is now seen as synonymous with the death camps of Nazi Germany.
- Democracy which used to have strong negative connotations (it was used as the word demagogy is used today) and now has strong positive connotations throughout the Western world (e.g. Europe and the United States). Many now consider anything "democratic" to be automatically "good" and anyone accused of being "anti-democratic" as automatically "bad". In western countries, other political ideologies fascism, communism and totalitarianism are loaded words, as well these ideologies are held as morally repugnant and history shown the oppressive nature of fascist and communist governments.
- Discrimination which means "to sort between," but which has now become so associated with prejudice and bias based on race, sex, sexuality, class, age, etc. that the word's original sense has become almost unusable (although it persists in some health care fields, in which one may speak of a "difficulty with object discrimination" i.e. telling between objects).
- Free will which in philosophy is often used to mean the opposite of determinism, but which instead suggests freedom from external coercion. Free will describes the power for an individual to decide on their own fate.
- Fundamentalism denotes those religious practices that advocate a strict and literal reading of sacred texts. Popularly, however, the term is sometimes applied to any nonmainstream group to imply guilt by association.
- Homophobia is sometimes considered to be a loaded term because the root phobia implies a fear while the dictionary definition implies disgust or aversion to homosexuals or aspects of homosexuality. Additionally, labeling someone a homophobe commonly evokes negative reactions from them.
- Non-sexist language, because it implies that failing to use "non-sexist language" is sexist. The language does not want to differentiate or defame women in ways held as offensive and discriminatory to their gender.
- Progressive and progress, that imply that opposite or different worldviews are reactionary, negative, evil or backward. Other terms are radical and innovative, but can mean the same for reactionary has their own radical or innovative political agenda.
- Pro-life and Pro-choice, because each implies that the other is anti- something, specifically that pro-life is anti-choice and that pro-choice is anti-life. Both issues are related to how society is divided on abortion.
- Propaganda, which literally refers to a specific type of message presentation aimed at serving an agenda, but which carries strong negative connotations of being deceptive. In the U.S. for example, Liberal and left-wing movements are accused of one-sided bias in their alleged dominance of the media by conservative and right-wing critics.
- Racist, produces controversial implications on whether or not the action, policy or behavior (racism) is directed against or discriminates one person or group, with open or subliminal forms of prejudice, because of their race, color, ethnicity and culture not like the majority, e.g. the white/European American majority in North America (Canada and the United States).
These terms seem to arise most often in politics where they serve the purpose of propaganda and the subject of great conflict between persons and groups of people on the difference of opinion comes from "loaded words".
Questions, on the other hand, do not need to contain any "loaded words" to be considered loaded questions. They are usually said to be loaded if they make a presupposition. For example, the question "Do you still cheat on your taxes?" makes the presupposition that the subject of the question at one time did cheat on his/her taxes. Common examples of loaded questions arise in interviews where the interviewer wishes to make a biased statement while keeping a guise of unbiased journalism.
Avoiding loaded language where possible is essential for objectivity, as well the points of controversy, moral panics and social/emotional tension. Many people consider the very words in times obscene, profane or vulgar for producing a negative reaction in a public situation, and by social codes of etiquette and taboo, it's considered best to avoid these "loaded words" whenever/wherever possible out of comfort and respect.
