3 ms·
If you are interested in that specific aspect, I recommend you to read "LTI" by Victor Klemperer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LTI_%E2%80%93_Lingua_Tertii_Impe
by carschno 3y ago
If you are interested in that specific aspect, I recommend you to read "LTI" by Victor Klemperer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LTI_%E2%80%93_Lingua_Tertii_Imperii https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LTI_%E2%80%93_Lingua_Tertii_Im...
> LTI demonstrates changes in the German language in most of the population. In contrast, the text also emphasizes the idea that resistance to oppression begins by questioning the constant use of buzzwords.
- ben_w 3y agoHuh, one of those reminded me of post-9/11 American euphemisms: > Verschärfte Vernehmung ("strengthened interrogation"): torture And the prefix „Welt-“ ("world-") reminds me of British politicians repeatedly calling their policies "world-leading" or "world-class".
- carschno 3y agoSure, euphemisms are an essential component of any kind of propaganda. To some degree, this includes legitimate campaigning in democracies. What the Nazis implemented to a unique extent was the process of (re-)defining words in a specific meaning. This happened top-down and censorship not only acted passively (disallow certain publications), but the propaganda actively pushed the terminology and narratives to use by the media. The recurrent use of seemingly harmless words in specific ways impacted the society much longer than the Nazis were in charge. Some seemingly unpolitical narratives have lived on until today. Fortunately, the (Western) allies realized that they needed to counter this after the war, but of course the denazification has not been able to undo all the damage.