Preliminary communication
Different aspects of the meaning and usage of the word terrorism with an insight into the contemporary Anglo-Saxon and Francophone media
Jelena Dubčić
; Sveučilište u Dubrovniku
Ariana Violić-Koprivec
Abstract
The difference in the choice of the vocabulary used when reporting about terrorist acts in the media is undeniable. Journalists do not decide to use the words terrorist or terrorism lightly. Evolution of their meaning over time is inseparable from the evolution of the phenomenon of terrorism itself. It is traced back from the time of the French Revolution to the most recent examples of terrorism. Beside being difficult to define legally, the word terrorism is characterized as pejorative with a growing number of euphemisms. Examples from the contemporary Anglo – Saxon and Francophone media confirm that the word terrorism is controversial, subjective and highly politically and emotionally charged and it acquires different meanings depending on the needs of its interpretation. Its usage is determined by the contextual circumstances, political beliefs of the speaker, his intention, point of view and emotions.
Keywords
terrorism; terrorist; meaning; usage; media
Hrčak ID:
111228
URI
Publication date:
28.6.2013.
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