Language, Nonviolence, and A Culture of Peace

‘No culture has devised a means for talking without highlighting some things at the expense of others’
Edward T. Hall The Silent Language

During a recent workshop at the Gandhi Institute, a group of students spent time looking at the war and violence embedded in everyday language. We looked for war-like language in the areas of sports, politics, business, entertainment, and common expressions. In 10 minutes, we discovered dozens of phrases—from ‘spearheading’ a project to ‘killing a bill’. Several people said they felt shock at seeing how commonly these words appear.

Does it matter that English, rapidly becoming the lingua franca of the world, has hundreds of phrases where war and violence are invoked, however unconsciously?

I have been trying to rid my language of violence for years, a work in progress. I do it as an awareness practice, as a nudge to stay conscious of the power of words on my mind, relationships, and actions.
Language is not a neutral vessel; it is a mold that shapes the way people think and act.

Kit Miller