Best Practices in Finding and Using Updated Terminology
We’ve watched the global crisis we are currently enduring go from being called “global warming” in our youth to “climate change,” and even now scientists continue to chip away at that name as a catch-all for the climate crisis. Why? Because scientists are looking for a way to succinctly and efficiently communicate the consequences of the crisis, which is why a lot of scientists are advocating for calling the crisis “Global Climate Disruption” or simply “Climate Disruption.”
Obviously that name is not perfect either, but scientists are continually working toward understanding more about the climate crisis. Terms are liable to change with time, and journalists have to be able to stay on top of these changes in order to share the most accurate and up-to-date information with their communities. What are the best practices for doing this?
ALWAYS BE AWARE OF, OR START TO SENSITIZE YOURSELF TO, YOUR UNCONSCIOUS BIASES
Terminology is updated with time and understanding, and in some cases, empathy. For example, common words for LGBTQ+ people that were perhaps not considered offensive in the 1980s and 1990s do not apply anymore (see “queer.”). Most human rights websites will have updated glossaries for inclusive language. Scientific terms are a similar animal in different packaging; science develops and understands more as time goes on. Things that may have been accepted as truth in the past are found to be misleading or inaccurate. It’s important to remember that your initial understanding of that concept is also bound to change as the science changes, and to be able to walk your readers through — not only on what the updated terminology is, but why it is being updated.
STAY AWAY FROM OVERLY DENSE LINGO OR TERMINOLOGY UNLESS THERE’S A SERIOUS NEED FOR SPECIFICITY
Readers are looking to understand, not be assaulted, and it’s a fine line to walk between teaching your readers something and hiding the concept behind flowery language, all but denying their access to it. If you hear a word in the research you don’t think you understand or you don’t think a reader will understand, use your resources to help explain that. Interview a subject and ask them to give you the meaning in layman’s terms, or do the research yourself to cross-reference the concepts you need to layer in in order for your reader to understand.
BE AS SUCCINCT AS POSSIBLE
Just because we want to be a bit more explicit when outlining concepts underlying the terminology we are introducing doesn’t mean we have to write a Victor Hugo novel on the topic. Studies show brevity actually assists the learning process by laying solid, simple foundations from which readers can make their associations and ask their own questions. In fact, brevity may begin the learning process for your readers, and inspire them to do more research.
GIVE YOUR READERS ACCESS TO RESOURCES SO THEY CAN EDUCATE THEMSELVES
Your writing will always have a tinge of personal bias, despite the number of best practices you employ, and the best way to ensure your audience has the tools to do their research and form their own opinions is to hand them the same research you used. Include links to glossaries of terms and all research and data you employed in the piece as well as links to the “why” featuring people who will tell you, in a human voice, why this terminology has changed or been updated.
Connection and bridging the gap between the disparate branches of society is one of a journalist’s essential roles. That means continually updating the public on new information, vocabulary, and concepts as they become available — even if it means updating the public’s understanding on a macro scale. With time, repeated evidence and support for these concepts, your audiences will be able to use them accurately in no time.
