Talking Terrorism: A Dictionary of the Loaded Language of Political Violence - Hardcover

Herbst, Philip

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0313324867 ISBN 13: 9780313324864

Publisher: Greenwood, 2003

Synopsis

Anarchist, freedom fighter, fundamentalist, terrorist. These words are thrown about today with seeming abandon. But each of these terms, and hundreds like them, have connotations and denotations charged with meanings which can be used strategically by politicians, journalists, and ordinary citizens. ^ITalking Terrorism^R defines, traces, and explains the loaded, controversial, confusing, and shifting language that surrounds terrorist activity. The dictionary comprises words used to characterize individuals, groups, or countries that commit or support acts of political violence. Also covered is the closely related language that conveys the justifications and agendas of those responding to violence, including these groups' self-characterizations, which might entail the masking of a multitude of sins. In addition, the ways terrorists use language to smear enemies, recruit and inspire group members, and communicate the righteousness of their causes are examined.

Following an A-to-Z format, ^ITalking Terrorism^R identifies and defines terms in dictionary style, then explores the charged meanings of the words, and often supplies examples of the words' usage. Cross-references will lead readers to related words and show the complicated web of words used in this verbal warfare. In the words and verbal maneuvers discussed in the dictionary, readers will see how enemies are manufactured through demonization, biased media coverage and government spin in action, and brutality legitimized as virtue, along with the besmirching of its victims. Much of what readers will find may not seem encouraging, yet ^ITalking Terrorism^R will open the eyes and ears of anyone who wants to come to grips with today's tumultuous political world.

About this title

About the Author

PHILIP HERBST is an author and editor whose previous books, The Color of Words and Wimmin, Wimps, and Wallflowers, dealt with how language defines social and political reality. A cultural anthropologist, Herbst has taught at the State University of New York, Potsdam, was a Visiting Scholar in both the Anthropology and the Gender Studies departments at Northwestern University, and has conducted research under the auspices of the National Institutes for Health and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Reviews

Grade 10 Up-In his introduction, Herbst indicates that his intended audience is readers who want to decode some of the inflammatory language and rhetoric of terrorism. He explains the history of some terms, and hopes to make researchers aware of the power of words and to call into question the language used by politicians and the media. Some entries are obvious choices: "Weapons of Mass Destruction," "Fundamentalist," and "Satanic," for example. Others may be less familiar in this context, such as "Mau Mau" or "Swamp." The inclusion of "Caves" seems to be a stretch, but the supporting paragraph raises several interesting questions about the use of the term in relation to Afghanistan. Entries are generally lengthy and include related terms, so the use of the index is essential. For example, there is no entry for "baby killer," a term often used by the anti-abortion movement. However, it is listed in the index, leading to an entry on "abortuary," a rather circuitous route. Some derogatory terms and epithets are also included. Advanced students doing research on political theory, current topics, or the media might find this work valuable. Certainly, some of the terms would be difficult to research on a filtered Internet system.-Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

As opposed to the recent spate of reference materials covering terrorism, this text does not define the numerous individuals, groups, and causes that have been involved in terrorist activities over the years. Instead, it discusses the definitions given 150 key terms used by politicians and propagandists who seek to distort or alter the view of an issue for different purposes. The author also wrote Wimmin, Wimps, and Wallflowers: An Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Gender and Sexual Orientation Bias in the United States (Intercultural, 2001) and The Color of Words: An Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Ethnic Bias in the United States (Intercultural, 1997).

Many more terms are discussed in the articles than are used as the 150 entry headings, and see also references and a general index guide the reader through the definitions. In addition to the excellent general bibliography, citations are included within the definitions so that it is easy for a researcher to identify respective sources.

An excellent introduction to the topic of terrorism and use of language by politicians frames the discussion of the terms. Of particular interest is a discussion of how some may fault this text for challenging freedom of speech. The author prefers to see the book as a means of raising awareness of biased language. The entry for Freedom fighter demonstrates some of the points he is trying to make. During the most recent conflict in the Balkans, the U.S. government refers to the Kosovo Liberation Army as freedom fighters or terrorists, depending on whether the group was invading Serbia (considered a good war by the U.S. government) or Macedonia (considered a bad war). Similar discussions on the various issues of vocabulary are what make the book a fascinating and necessary addition to available material on language as well as on terrorism. Recommended for academic and public libraries. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Greenwood
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0313324867
• ISBN 13: 9780313324864
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240