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The Grammar of Propaganda: How Language Builds Tyranny

5 min read

Long before “fake news,” propagandists mastered linguistic manipulation, weaponizing the very structure of language to build consensus and justify atrocity. From the passive voice that erases responsibility to the loaded terms that dehumanize an enemy, this post explores the insidious grammar that builds the scaffolding of tyranny. By understanding how language is twisted, we can better defend ourselves against it.

Linguistics Psycholinguistics Syntax

The Agent and the Patient: How Transitivity Shapes Blame and Responsibility

6 min read

Who broke the window? The choice between saying “The boy broke the window” and “The window broke” is more than just grammar. This linguistic feature, known as transitivity, profoundly shapes how we assign blame, recall events, and even judge guilt in a court of law. How our language structures agency has powerful, real-world consequences for everything from eyewitness testimony to news headlines.