An Analysis of the Language Used To Communicate Information on Climate Change

Abstract

This article analyzed the language used to communicate information on climate change. The discourse of climate change is not inclusive of the majority of people of the Sub Saharan region with specific reference to Zimbabwe. This is due to its technical and ambiguous nature. A variety of scientific documents, magazines, technical journals and briefings were analyzed. The methodology of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Document Analysis were used to analyze various texts in order to uncover the possible hidden meanings of a variety of linguistic aspects. It was noted that linguistic aspects like metaphors of fear and panic, hedging techniques and compounding are frequently used. Climate change communication is loaded with technical jargon which places the ordinary people, particularly in Zimbabwe in a dilemma. For that reason the climate change discourse creates information and knowledge gaps between those from the developed countries and the developing countries. Interviews were administered on policy makers, environmentalists, educationists and other stakeholders. Qualitative data was analyzed using grounded theory to describe and explain the elicited responses from stakeholders in order to complement data from textual analysis. It is recommended that there should be a lot of media awareness, education and training on climate change issues in Zimbabwe. The government of Zimbabwe, the private sector and NGOs should develop training programmes to communities in indigenous languages which are relevant to their needs. Issues of ideologies are also quite prevalent in climate change communication.