Anthon Jason
Just because one could not pronounce one word the same way, resulted in the death of forty-two thousand Ephraimites. This event is recorded in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Judges 12:5-6. The word, “shibboleth”, was used to distinguish the Gileadites and Ephraimites. These two tribes of Israel were at war at the time, and this word became a linguistic test to differentiate between us and them, between friends and enemies. Those who could not pronounce “shibboleth” correctly (saying “sibboleth” instead) were identified as enemies and slaughtered. This ancient practice demonstrates the historical precedent for using language as a tool of identification and exclusion. Throughout history, similar linguistic markers have been employed during conflicts and social tensions to distinguish between insiders and outsiders. This is the historical context of how language polarized society was presented by Dr. Michael R. Quinlan at the CRCS-ICRS Wednesday Forum on February 26, 2025.
Modern Shibboleth
In his presentation, Dr. Quinlan warned the audience many times to be careful when using words. This applies to usage, spelling, and pronunciation. The discussion shows how language can function as both a unifying and divisive force in contemporary society through “modern shibboleths.” Dr. Quinlan explores how certain words and phrases have become powerful markers of cultural, ideological, and political identity, creating insider-outsider dynamics that contribute to societal polarization.
In contemporary discourse, the concept of shibboleth has evolved to encompass more than mere pronunciation. It has acquired a significance that extends to the lexicon, idioms, and linguistic framework that collectively signify ideological stance or group affiliation. These linguistic choices often go unnoticed but carry profound social implications. In contemporary society, shibboleths appear in various fields including politics, religion, academia, and social movements, serving to strengthen in-group solidarity while creating barriers to mutual understanding across different communities.
In contemporary society, the selection of vocabulary employed by an individual serves as a manifestation of their ideological stance. Dr. Quinlan asserts that the words selected serve to “signal our virtues to the world”. The selection of our position through shibboleth is made both consciously and unconsciously. In the context of a democratic society, the utilization of shibboleths has emerged as a significant instrument in the realm of identity politics. Capitalizing on the differences in views, ideology, and religion, politicians strategically employ shibboleths to garner support from specific demographic groups.
The Heavy Burden of a Word
Words in the public sphere today carry a heavy burden because they are related to ideology in relation to politics and religion. In the discussion session at the forum, Dr. Dicky Sofjan conveyed that the media currently has an important role. Social media algorithms generate echo chambers, resulting in the normalization of specific linguistic patterns and terminologies within certain communities while remaining unfamiliar or disconcerting to others. Media can be a framing tool for certain groups to teach people or manipulate people’s minds to favor certain ideologies.
Furthermore, realizing the burden of each word or term, what we can do is to be fully aware of this. It is important to be aware of the political correctness in choosing words. We must realize there is an ideological burden that preoccupies a word. By choosing the right words and diction, we can avoid unnecessary conflicts. On the other hand, we also need to think far more with a cool head whenever dealing with words or terms that are ideologically charged that divide and polarize society.
In response to this, Dr. Quinlan agreed and elaborated further. Political correctness in word choice depends on where our political position is. Where we can or cannot use certain words. For example, the term citizenship can refer to asylum seekers, undocumented citizens, refugees, or illegal aliens. The use of these words will show in which part of this issue we stand. Which then determines what is the politically correct word to say.
Another response coming from Dr. Lacroix advocates that in a democratic country, antagonism is inevitable. Dr. Lacroix states “Democracy is not the absence of antagonism, democracy is not seeking consensus, democracy is peacefully managing real genuine antagonism…” Therefore, the question remains: what course of action should be taken? In response to this, Dr. Quinlan stated that it is true that in real society, we often have to take sides, whether we do it ideologically, morally, or theologically. We are using shibboleth. However, what often happens is that we don’t realize the weight of the words or terms we use. Especially if we are scholars, then using the right words and terms to refer to things accurately is very important.
Language Awareness
One question posed as the last slide in Dr. Quinlan’s presentation was “how do we utilize language that is unifying instead of polarizing?” As scholars, our job is to bridge the gap between the polarized society. Our responsibility as scholars is to use language that is in line with ethics. Ethical language needs to balance between clarity and inclusivity. This balance includes the use of specific terms that will serve as genuine communication versus when these terms serve as boundary markers between groups. The choice of strategies in language can increase polarization, but it can also open up a genuine space to bridge differences. Good scholars should be responsible and aware of the choice of words used, whether it will reinforce or challenge existing societal polarization.
Once we have recognized that our choices in language can function as identity markers, we become aware of how words can unite as well as separate. This realization makes us more careful in our language. This does not mean that we then deliberately choose inappropriate words. Rather, we should build fluency and flexibility in communicating effectively across communities and contexts. In an era of increasing polarization, language awareness is a crucial skill for bridging divides and fostering understanding between different ideological, social class, political, religious, and cultural boundaries.
